Farewell to 'Save Your Love' Renato; FUNERAL: Hundreds of family and friends packed into Holy Trinity Church.

Byline: Catherine Lillington

SINGING star Renee joined mourners at the funeral of Renato Pagliari to bid farewell to the "great man" with who she shared the number one hit Save Your Love.

Hundreds of family, friends and fans packed into Sutton Coldfield's Holy Trinity Catholic Church and dabbed their eyes as music by the 69-year-old performer was played throughout the service, yesterday.

The final performance drew rounds of applause and at one point a standing ovation as Renato's voice soared to the rafters during his recording of Nessun Dorma.

Speaking afterwards Renee, whose real name is Hilary Lester, said she wished she could have cherished what would turn out to be their last performance together, in December.

The 49-year-old, who got to say a final goodbye to Renato two days before he died, said: "You just think it is going to happen again in six weeks or two months' time and you don't cherish the moments but I will always look back and have happy memories. We had a wonderful time when we had our hit. He was a fantastic character who thoroughly enjoyed entertaining people and I think he spent his whole life entertaining people, he also loved it too.

"He truly is one of those people who lit up a room when he went into it. Even if you were feeling down, by the time Renato finished with you, you would be smiling. He really was one of those infectious types of people. He had that X Factor because you would always know he was there."

Family friend Lady Jayne Ackers gave the eulogy on behalf of Renato's wife Maureen and their two children, Remo and Amanda, in which they said: "The heart of our family has passed from our presence and our lives will never again be the same.

"You were a star in every sense of the word - such a great entertainer with your wonderful voice and massive personality. You lit up our lives and the lives of so many people that had the pleasure of knowing you.

"The star you were in our lives as a family became a public star in 1982 when you had your No 1 hit - but to Amanda and Remo you were always our No 1 Dad."

Former Aston Villa manager Ron Atkinson too paid tribute to his friend who he said had a "phenomenal voice".

1982 FACTFILE

Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher was * running the country.

Argentina seized the Falkland Islands * and Britain sent a task force within three days of the invasion to recapture them in ten weeks.

Under Mrs Thatcher's government * unemployment topped three million.

Pope John Paul II visited Britain, * including the Midlands.

Prince William was born. *

CAPTION(S):

Duo: Singing partner Rene alias Hilary Lester and (inset) rene and Renato. Pictures: Tim Easthope Goodbye: (From left) Renato's son Remo (left) consoles one of his best friends; singer Tony Christie and his wife Sue; Ron Atkinson and Gary Newbon; and a floral tribute. Missed: Renato Pagliari and his wife Maureen.