Okwudiri Straightman Nwali

Goodbye, Nanny Pat: Grieving Mark is supported by doting wife Michelle as the emotional Wright family pay their respects to beloved TOWIE star as she is laid to rest 

• The Only Way Is Essex's Nanny Pat's funeral was held in Essex on Friday
• Her grandson Mark Wright and his wife Michelle Keegan led the Wright family - including TOWIE star Jessica - as they paid tribute
• The late mother and grandmother's coffin was carried through the streets of Essex in a glass carriage pulled along by white horses 
• Mark then acted as pallbearer, carrying her woven coffin into the South Essex Crematorium 
• Nanny Pat - real name Patricia Brooker - passed away in December at 80 following a short illness 

Grieving Mark Wright led the mourners at the funeral of his beloved Nanny Pat in Essex on Friday.

The television presenter, 28, was supported by his doting wife, actress Michelle Keegan, 28, as he and the emotional Wright family paid their respects to the popular reality TV star - real name Patricia Brooker - who passed away at the age of 80 last month.  

A lavish white carriage pulled along by horses carried her to the funeral's venue in Upminster, while the former TOWIE star cut sombre figures as they made their way to one of the family member's homes before heading to the South Essex Crematorium. 

Sombre: Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright led the mourners at the late Nanny Pat's funeral in Upminster, Essex on Friday

In mourning: A white carriage - pulled along by white horses - was seen arriving at the TOWIE star's house before heading to the South Essex Crematorium

Her final farewell included her elaborate coffin being carried through the streets of Essex before she was finally laid to rest. 

Also seen arriving at the funeral on Friday was another of Nanny Pat's grandchildren, TOWIE star and Mark's sister Jessica, who failed to contain her sadness as she joined her family, including parents Carol and Mark Wright, for the occasion. 

Mark was later seen acting as pallbearer, carrying the woven coffin along with the others, including his brother Josh.

Nanny Pat passed away in mid-December, following a short illness, leaving her family, co-stars, friends and fans of the hit ITVBe series in shock.

The sad news was released in a statement to MailOnline on behalf of the Wright and Brooker Family, reading: 'Sadly our amazing, courageous and beautiful Nanny Pat passed away this morning after a short illness.

An honour: Mark joined the other pallbearers as he carried Nanny Pat's woven coffin into the church

Solemn: Mark was clearly emotional as he prepared to say goodbye to his grandmother

A hard time: Mark was completely griefstriken as he completed his duties while honouring his late grandparent

Sticking together: Michelle and Mark stayed close as they arrived together at the memorial - held almost a month after Nanny Pat's death - holding hands

Emotional: The former Coronation Street actress greeted another mourner with a hug 

Tears: TOWIE's Jessica Wright - another of Nanny Pat's grandchildren - couldn't hold back her tears as she waited outside the home

Simply the best: Her coffin was taken to the memorial in the white carriage, complete with a floral tribute on top, emblazoned with the words 'Simply the best'

Final farewell: Nanny Pat's elaborate coffin was carried through the streets of Essex before she was finally laid to rest

Remembering her: The official order of service revealed there would be plenty of tributes for Nanny Pat, as well as a reading and a recital of The Lord's Prayer

'Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened': The iconic Dr. Seuss quote was included along the bottom of the order of service, a touching tribute for the late reality star

'We are overwhelmed by sadness, and the whole family ask for privacy at this horrible time.'

Many of the stars of TOWIE later arrived at the church to pay their respects at the service, which was revealed to include several elements, including a reading, a 'tribute to our nan', a look back at her life by the Rev. Andrew Bryant, and a reading of the Lord's Prayer.

There was also a visual tribute and a blessing included in the official order of service, which was emblazoned with the picture of Nanny Pat and included an iconic Dr. Seuss quote: 'Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.'