Showbiz

Gaunt-looking Corinne Bailey Rae mourns at funeral of drug-death husband

Updated 07:44am on 3 Apr 2008

Corinne Bailey Rae cut a fragile figure today after mourning the loss of her husband at his funeral in Leeds.

The 29-year-old singer, wearing a simple black shift dress, emerged grief-stricken and alone after the 90 minute service.

She was the last to leave St George's Church, where more than 100 mourners had turned out to pay their respects to Jason Rae, who died from a suspected drug overdose last month.

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Grieving: Corinne Bailey Rae was the last to leave her husband's funeral service yesterday

She was taken away in car to attend the wake, which was being held at the Wardrobe bar, where Corinne and Jason held their wedding reception seven years ago.

Award winning producer Mark Ronson was among the crowd of family and friends gathered to pay tribute to the 31-year-old saxophonist.

Just a couple of kilts among the black sombre suits gave indication of Jason's Aberdeen roots. A hearse with the word Jason spelt out in white flowers could be seen as the first mourners arrived.

Jason, who was known to have addiction problems, was found dead after police were called to a friend's flat in Hyde Park, Leeds.

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Friend: Music producer Mark Ronson was among the 100-strong mourners

His drinking and drug taking is said to have caused a rift with his Baptist wife Corinne. And neighbours said she would refuse to let him into their Leeds flat when he came home in a state.

But friends insisted, despite husband Jason's lifestyle, their seven-year marriage was strong.

Heartbreak: Corinne and husband Jason were married for seven years before his death last month

Corinne's career soared immediately following the release of her self-titled debut album which topped the UK charts in 2006 and sold more than a million copies in the U.S.

She worked on Herbie Hancock's album River: The Joni Letters which won a Grammy award this year.

Husband Jason's band the Haggis Horns were enjoying their own success, including stints supporting Amy Winehouse and Ronson at February's Brit Awards.

Ronson last week paid tribute to the talented musician who had performed with him at the awards night.

He said: "It's such a sad, sad thing, I'm sorry that I can't really put anything into words.

"However, I will say that he was an incredible dude, a lovely gentle man, one of the funniest f***ing people ever."

In an interview 18 months ago with fanzine Funk'd, Jason said: "I could die tomorrow and think I've lived my life.

"The lifestyle is part and parcel of being a musician. It makes you feel separate from the rest of the world. There's more angst, torture and edge to my life."