THERE were floods of tears and laughter too as friends and family remembered the life of Jay Jay Taylor.

The 23-year-old died after a serious assault at the Esco-Bar in The Green, Darwen, on January 28.

There was standing room only as hundreds of people packed into St Peter’s Church in Darwen to pay their respects to ‘the brightest star in the sky’ who will live long in loved ones’ memories.

A horse-drawn carriage decorated with blue and white feathers led the funeral cortège of limousines from the family home on Limes Avenue to the church.

Many mourners wore blue ties and some had blue roses, in Jay Jay’s memory.

Rev Fleur Green led the 50-minute service and read out tributes from friends and family.

His mum Vicky paid tribute to her ‘first born and only son’ and said he had ‘taken a huge part’ of her with him.

She also recalled some funny moments with her beloved son.

She said: “Jay Jay, you’ve left a wet towel on the carpet in the front room, move it to the washing machine — an hour later the towel is still on the floor. 

“If you don’t move this towel, your Xbox is going out the front door!
“It’s rubbish anyway,” he replied, 

“So I threw the Xbox out the door and never have I seen him run so fast.”

His girlfriend Amber Greenwood said she ‘could not wait for the day’ they meet again.

“It isn’t an exaggeration when I say that you were perfect in every way.

“I absolutely prided myself on the fact that such an amazing, pure boy chose to spend the past three years with me and to see a side of you that no-one else got to see.

“I can’t thank you enough for the absolute kindness, patience and unconditional love you showed me day in day out and you filled every single day with endless laughter in amidst your absolute wind-ups.”

There was laughter among the mourners as they heard heartfelt memories from sister Shauna.

“I can tell you I am going to miss his annoying little ways like his bird noises or water dripping noise.

“He would talk all the way through a film and completely spoil it for you and his favourite thing to do was to make sure that, on a night out, people would tell me I looked older than him with the biggest smug look on his face there was.

“He has taken a massive piece of my heart with him and he will always be the brightest star in the sky.”

Sister Imogen said: “I love you so much, you mean the world to me, I can’t believe you are gone too soon. 

“You are always in my heart. I remember when I used to come in your room and when you were playing football and I used to say random things and you would always tell me to shut up.”

Sister Meghan said that when she makes a brew ‘you will always pop into my head’.

Friend Anthony Rogers said he ‘felt he had lost a brother’.

He said: “I will miss all the times we used to play football and had pre-drinks before going out. I will miss you so much lad.”

Mourners entering the church listened to a tribute Eternity, by Carl Briggs, with the line: ‘Jay Jay you have come and gone too soon’ and ‘We hope you find your freedom for eternity’.

Among the musical tributes were See You Again, by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth; Hey Brother by Avicii and I’ll Be Missing You, by Puff Daddy.

After the service, the coffin was taken to Darwen Eastern Cemetery for burial.

*A 44-year-old man has appeared in court charged with Jay Jay’s murder.