Declan Donnelly fights back tears as he carries priest brother’s coffin into church where he married wife Ali

EMOTIONAL Dec Donnelly looked devastated as he helped carry the coffin ahead of his brother's funeral.

Father Dermott Donnelly died suddenly three weeks ago aged just 55.

TV star Dec, 46, raced to be by his sibling's side in hospital after the priest collapsed. Dermott later succumbed to his sudden illness.

Distraught Dec was at today's service held in St Michael's Catholic Church in Newcastle where Father Dermott married Dec and his wife Ali Astall.

She did not appear to be there with him, having given birth to their second child just four days ago.

Dec called the newborn a "very welcome ray of light" after Father Dermott's sudden death.

The Geordie star shared a snap of his son holding his finger and captioned it: "Shortly before 10am yesterday, 23.7.2022, Ali and I welcomed the arrival of our son, Jack Anthony Alphonsus, a very welcome ray of light.

"He is wonderful and Isla is beyond excited to be a big sister! D x."

Dec and Ali tied the knot in 2015 and also have daughter Isla, three.

The couple had not previously announced Ali's second pregnancy, although rumours started to circulate after she failed to accompany her husband to the TV Baftas in May.

A source previously revealed how devastated Dec raced home to his native north east to join the family at Fr Dermott's bedside.

They told how loved ones had been praying the priest would "pull through" after he became "extremely unwell" in hospital.

Sadly, a statement confirming his death came from the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.

He said at the time of his passing: "It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Fr Dermott Donnelly who died peacefully this afternoon in hospital.

"This has come as a great shock to all of us.

"Please pray for the repose of his soul and keep his family, especially his mother, in your prayers at this difficult time.

"Funeral arrangements will follow when finalised."

The source said: "Dec arrived with other family members. There are around 12 of them there at the hospital."

Fr Dermott conducted Dec’s wedding to Ali in 2015 in front of a star-studded guest list - including the likes of Dermot O'Leary and Dec's TV sidekick Ant McPartlin. 

The parish priest in Stanley, County Durham, was recently pictured outside .

He was invited by Boris Johnson to join religious leaders to pray for peace in Ukraine.

Fr Donnelly said: "It was a real privilege to join Christian leaders from across many churches at Downing Street and to stand together in prayer, the silence was so profound.

"It was a moment when the power of vulnerability encountered the vulnerability of power. The best weapon we had was prayer."

Dec, the youngest of seven brothers and sisters, has spoken of his close relationship with his brother on a number of occasions.

He also previously revealed how considered following in his brother's footsteps by becoming a priest.