Video: Thousands say farewell to rugby league's Terry Newton

The 31-year-old former professional hanged himself at his home in Wigan after being sacked by his club and banned from the sport over drugs.

It is thought the father of two took his own life after plunging into depression over his career and private life.

The funeral for Newton, born and bred in Wigan, a rugby league stronghold, and a former player for his hometown club, attracted around 1,000 fans to Wigan Parish Church.

Applause rang out as his pine coffin arrived for the start of the service carried by pall bearers including former rugby league stars Barrie McDermott and Terry O'Connor and current England captain Adrian Morley.

His heartbroken wife Stacey had to be helped into church, followed by Newton's parents and extended family.

They were joined by rugby league greats of the past and present and 600 mourners inside.

Many fans wore black but others were in the cherry and white of Wigan, lining the streets and in the church grounds listening in silence on a PA system.

Blowing In The Wind by Bob Dylan was played before the Reverend John Macaulay began the service.

He told mourners they had come to pay respect to Terry whose life ended "prematurely and in tragic circumstances" but he had brought "his own vivid dash of colour and character" to all their lives.

Newton started his career in the game playing for St Judes, a local amateur club, before captaining England schoolboys, Rev Macaulay said.

He left home at 16 to join Leeds Rhinos before his "dream move" to his home town club of Wigan Warriors, and began a relationship with a childhood friend Stacey, who became his wife.

Newton also played for Bradford, represented Great Britain 15 times, scoring three tries, and also won five England caps.

Brian Carney, a team-mate of Newton when they were at Wigan Warriors, then gave a second tearful tribute.

The Irish former Great Britain international, his voice breaking with emotion, first read a letter on behalf of Newton's parents, Tony and Val.

"You were any parents' dream son, you became everything we wanted you to be, big, strong, tough, a fantastic sportsman.

"What we were most proud of you was the person you were inside."

Referring to the drugs ban, the letter continued: "When you told me what you had done I looked into your eyes and I knew you were truly sorry.

"We are sorry we could not get you through this."

Carney then said some words on behalf of fans, players and friends.

"We are all united in respect and sadness for you Tez, you left too soon for all of us.

"Every one of your friends will have a treasured memory, that is your gift to us, Terry Newton.".

A letter from Newton's wife Stacey was then read out by a friend.

It read: "To my loving husband, best friend, soul mate, my lovely cuddly Terry.

"I can't begin to describe how much I love you and always will. I've never ever loved anyone as much as you.

"You gave me two beautiful, precious girls who always loved you so much. You will always be my one, my only, my big cuddly Terry."

After this tribute, Amazed by the band Lonestar was played - the couple's wedding song.

As the music faded and silence fell, the only sound in the church was Stacey's sobbing.

Prayers were then read before the commendation and farewell before the hymn I Watch The Sunrise.

Newton's coffin was carried from the church followed by family and mourners to the song Shout To The Top! by The Style Council, and again applause rang out from fans crowded outside.

The order of service, entitled A Celebration for the life of Terry (Tez) Newton, bore two recent photos of him in happier times; one a portrait-style photo of a smiling Newton and a second with his wife, both of them cradling their two children.

A final message on it read: "The family would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your kind expressions of sympathy and for attending today. God bless you all."

Earlier his coffin passed the DW Stadium, the home of Wigan Warriors, where again hundreds of fans stood in tribute.

Newton's illustrious career crumbled when he tested positive for a banned substance in November last year during pre-season training with his final club Wakefield.

He was sacked by the club earlier this year after being handed a two-year suspension from the game.

His funeral was followed by a private burial for close family and friends, at St John's Church of England church in Pemberton, Wigan.

A full inquest into Newton's death, on September 26, will be held later this year.