THE uplifting music of Paul Griffiths rang out from Christ Church in Old Town yesterday as hundreds of people filled the church to bursting point to bid farewell to a beloved musician, father, brother, husband and friend.

Led by the Revd Canon Simon Stevenette, there was standing room only as family, friends and fans of Paul’s work filed into the church to pay their last respects to the musician who went missing in Bristol at the end of September.

He had been attending the Priory clinic after becoming unwell with depression and anxiety.

A desperate search ensued, with scores of people from across the region scouring the streets of Bristol and beyond for any sign of him, before his body was discovered earlier this month. He leaves behind wife Denise, daughters Natasha, Yazmin and Mia and grandson Eli.

The family said they had drawn huge comfort from the support shown to them during the incredibly difficult five and a half weeks of uncertainty that followed his disappearance.

Paying tribute to their father, Paul’s daughters Natasha, Yazmin and Mia – who were integral in leading the searches – penned a touching eulogy to their father, bringing together their fondest memories.

It said: “Over the past seven weeks we have come through terrible pain, hope and fear. Now as the reality settles we can begin to reminisce, laugh, cry and celebrate Paul – dad, husband, brother and friend who was so special to all of us.

“Paul was incredibly proud to be a support worker and carer, it is no surprise to us that he was thoroughly loved and valued, he found joy in making people happy and always went the extra mile to enrich the lives of other people.”

Tales of his early days of performing – involving a sequined orange jumpsuit, and a beloved knitted jumper that became a woolly hat – brought a smile to the faces of those gathered who remembered his days in Stadium Dogs and as the frontman of Cube.

Paul’s family also shared the story from back in 1999 during a family holiday to the Isle of Man when Denise and Paul agreed to let their daughters marry them.

Yazmin delivered the service, Natasha was the maid of honour while Mia was the flower girl in the fairy tale ceremony alongside a waterfall with flowers and candles floating in a pool nearby. They celebrated that night in a field drinking champagne while learning Spice Girls dance routines.

Their eulogy continued: “We will miss walking into the house and not hearing it filled with guitars and music. We will miss seeing your smiling face at the end of the day, with a cigarette and glass of wine in hand.

“We promise you this Paul, we promise to keep your spirit in our souls.”

Perhaps most well-known for his music, his songs played an integral part of the service, with the song Wanderlust – penned by Paul with best pal and drummer, the late Kevin Wilkinson – giving mourners time to reflect on their memories.

Paul’s coffin was taken for family burial to the sound of another of his songs, Sacred Ground, which ended long before all of the congregation were able to leave the church due to their numbers.

Owing to his love of Italy – through his time on tour with Cube – the Italian flag was flown from the church and last night the building was illuminated in his memory.

Mr Stevenette said: “Death is not the end – the best is yet to come, love never ends. Thank you Paul for all you gave to us.”