Mrs Brown’s Boys star Dermot O’Neill has revealed that his late wife Patricia “Chickie” O’Neill planned parts of her own funeral, including karaoke at the afters to lift the mood.
The actor spoke after the service for Chickie, who died last week aged 60.
Supported by a walking stick and wearing his trademark ponytail, the 74-year-old was comforted by family and friends outside the funeral in north Dublin.
Chickie died of cancer last Monday after doctors told her earlier this year that she had only months to live.
Dermot O’Neill starred on Mrs Brown’s Boys as Grandad (Credit: BBC)
Mrs Brown’s Boys star Dermot O’Neill attends wife’s funeral
As reported by The Sun, during the service, her son Salvador said his mum had helped organise her own farewell and had even ordered an end-of-life planner. He said it arrived on the day she died with the words, “Sorry it’s your problem now, because I’m dead” on the cover.
Salvador said the family laughed when they saw it, adding that it summed up his mum perfectly.
All four of Chickie’s children paid tribute at the packed service. Sons Salvador and Evan, along with daughters Yolanda and Nicola, spoke about the heartbreak of losing their mum.
They also said the huge turnout showed just how loved she was, and described the world as feeling much quieter since her death.
Dermot was reportedlytoo overcome with emotion to speak during the funeral. But, according to The Sun, he stood to touch her coffin before it passed through the doors at the end of the service.
‘Chickie wanted people to have a good time’
Afterwards, he said Chickie had wanted mourners to enjoy themselves at the reception in nearby Kealy’s bar off Swords Road.
Dermot told The Irish Sun: “Chickie wanted people to have a good time even at her funeral. That was very much her personality. She was a joyful, warm person. I’m so sad she is gone.”
Mrs Brown’s Boys co-star Paddy Houlihan, who attended the funeral, said he had never seen his longtime friend Dermot, known to the cast as Bugsy, so shaken.
Who is Dermot O’Neill in Mrs Brown’s Boys?
Dermot O’Neill is a familiar face to Mrs Brown’s Boys viewers and is known to friends and castmates by the nickname Bugsy. In this story, co-star Paddy Houlihan speaks about supporting him after the death of his wife Patricia “Chickie” O’Neill.
A short background boxout could help readers who know the show but want a quick reminder of who Dermot is and his connection to the wider cast.
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