Gary 'Mani' Mounfield funeral: Sir David Beckham leads line of celebrity attendees at Stone Roses star's farewell

The funeral procession departed from Heaton Moor in Stockport at 10am, making the approximately eight-mile journey to the city centre venue.

Hundreds of people lined the streets as the cortege left from the musician's home.

Following the Thanksgiving service, a private committal and invitation-only wake took place for close friends and family.

Among those pictured arriving to pay their respects were several famous Mancunian figures, as well as recognisable names from the world of music and beyond.

Sir David Beckham and his former Manchester United teammate, Gary Neville, were spotted arriving together.

The public outing from Sir David comes just days after his youngest son, Cruz, hit out at his brother Brooklyn for blocking his parents in the latest development of the family's lingering feud.

Elsewhere, former Coronation Street actress Sally Lindsay joined attendees at the ceremony.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham was also among the mourners, along with Bez from the Happy Mondays, Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown, and Oasis singer Liam Gallagher.

The 63-year-old musician died peacefully in his sleep on November 20 at his Stockport residence, his family confirmed.

His passing came almost exactly two years after the death of his wife Imelda, who succumbed to bowel cancer on November 18, 2023, aged 50. She had received a stage four diagnosis in November 2020.

The couple leave behind their 13-year-old twin sons, Gene and George, who were born in January 2013.

The order of service distributed at today's ceremony featured photographs of Mani with his family, including images from his wedding day and playful moments with Imelda.

Mr Mounfield joined the Stone Roses in 1987, forming part of the band's celebrated lineup alongside vocalist Mr Brown, guitarist John Squire, and drummer Alan 'Reni' Wren.

He performed on both the group's landmark 1989 self-titled debut and the 1994 follow-up Second Coming.

The first record, featuring tracks such as I Wanna Be Adored and I Am The Resurrection, was later voted the second greatest album of all time in a Music of the Millennium poll, behind only Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

After the band dissolved in 1996, he joined Scottish group Primal Scream until 2011, when he returned for the Stone Roses reunion.

A devoted Manchester United supporter, Mr Mounfield was honoured by fans at Old Trafford following his death, with banners displayed in the Stretford End.

BBC Radio Manchester's Mike Sweeney paid tribute to the bassist, describing him as remarkably grounded. "I have never met anyone with less edge," he said. "You could phone him up for anything. His feet were firmly on the ground. He was a cracking musician."

Music journalist John Robb characterised Mani as typically Mancunian.

Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder expressed his sorrow at being unable to attend, posting on X that he was "absolutely gutted" to miss the service due to being bedridden with flu.

Mr Ryder sent his love and thoughts to all those gathering for the farewell.