Cast and tearful fans hold one-minute silence for Tina Turner at West End show
The cast of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical held an emotional one-minute silence for the iconic singer.
The Queen of Rock and Roll passed away on Wednesday, 24 May at her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, at the age of 83.
The cast of the Aldwych Theatre Olivier Award-nominated musical production found out about the star's passing mid-way through their performance, but carried on - with Kristina Love, one of the actor's playing the role of Turner, saying the star would be 'partying in heaven'.
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The next day (Thursday, 25 May), at the matinee performance at 2:30pm, the cast dedicated the show and final song to Turner and held a one-minute silence.
Elesha Paul Moses - one of the musical's other leading ladies sharing the role of Turner with Love - paused the show after the cast's performance of 'Proud Mary'.
Ahead of the final number, she told the audience: "We are doing it for Tina. We are a family and we are team Tina. To Tina."
A member of the audience at the matinee, Toni Jewell, told the Mail Online: "It was absolutely amazing. I was blubbering too much to speak.
"What an amazing tribute to her."
The official website for Tina the musical released a statement the day after her passing.
It reads: "We are deeply saddened to share the news that Tina Turner passed away yesterday.
"Tina Turner's contribution as an iconic music artist and performer, her influence on fellow artists and her inspiration to generations who followed her, is legendary. Through her life story and her music, Tina Turner inspired and taught so many people around the world to find strength from within. This is a loss that will be deeply felt.
"Words can't express our feelings, so we look to one another to share the love, respect and kindness that she shared with us. Her legacy lives on in so many beautiful ways as we mourn a legendary woman. Our love, thoughts, and prayers are with Erwin Bach and Tina's family.
"TINA: The Tina Turner Musical is a true celebration of this exceptional woman, and in our mourning we continue to celebrate her life, her talent and her joy."
Turner previously said of the musical: "It's really important to me to have the chance to share my full story. This musical is not about my stardom. It is about the journey I took to get there. Each night I want audiences to take away from the theatre that you can turn poison into medicine."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Poppy Bilderbeck