27-04-2025
Julian Benson's funeral told ‘he's up there telling Pope Francis to go for it'
A sparkly cap was placed at the front of the coffin of the late dancer, choreographer and Dancing With The Stars judge Julian Benson as his gift for genuine friendship and the 'colour, love, joy and hope' he brought to so many people was recalled at his requiem Mass yesterday.
The TV personality and Cystic Fibrosis campaigner died at the age of 54 at St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin on April 18.
Chief celebrant and family friend, Fr Ivan Tonge, joked to mourners at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook that only Julian, right, would manage to upstage Pope Francis on the day that the late pontiff was also being laid to rest. A photo of Julian Benson is brought into the church for his funeral. Pic: Leah Farrell/
Another friend, Sarah Lawless, also referred to Pope Francis, saying that Mr Benson was probably in heaven telling the pontiff to 'go for it' and finally wear a pair of red shoes.
His younger brother Adrian said that 'behind the sparkle, glitz and glamour', Mr Benson was also 'a loyal and loving son, brother, uncle, friend and colleague'.
'Through his TV appearances as a judge on Dancing With The Stars, he spread joy, fun, positivity and happiness, which could be seen from the hundreds of messages of condolence from all over the country.'
Adrian also described his big brother as a 'Cystic Fibrosis warrior'.
'He achieved so much in the face of adversity and kept going for so many years whilst battling CF. He wouldn't surrender to it or let it hold him back.' Julian Benson's coffin being brought into the church, Pic: Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook.
Fr Tonge said of the dancer: 'It is wonderful to have someone bring colour into our lives. Love, hope and joy: they were the three elements of his life.' President Michael D Higgins was represented at the Mass by aide de camp Captain Chloe McMahon.
Mr Benson's friends escorted his coffin from the church as the song 'I Could Have Danced All Night' played.
He will rest alongside his late mother, Maura, in Glasnevin Cemetery, and is survived by Adrian, his sister-in-law Rachel, nieces Leah and Ailbhe, and nephew Cian, as well as his cousins and a wide circle of friends. The coffin is brought into the church for the funeral of Julian Benson. Pic: Leah Farrell/© Pic: Leah Farrell/© Pic: Leah Farrell/© A photo of Julian Benson is brought into the church for his funeral Pic: Leah Farrell/ Dancing with the Stars Ireland judge Brian Redmond at the funeral of former judge Julian Benson Pic: Leah Farrell/© Dermot Bannon attends Julian Benson's funeral Pic: Leah Farrell/© Arthur Gourounlian and Nicky Byrne attend the funeral of Julian Benson Pic: Leah Farrell/© Julian Benson's coffin being brought into the church, Pic: Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook. The funeral of Julian Benson Pic: Leah Farrell/©
