Mourners ‘say a little prayer’ outside Aretha Franklin’s father’s church

Since the singer – often referred to as the Queen of Soul – died following a battle with pancreatic cancer, tributes from fans have been made all over the world, including at places where the legendary singer performed.

Flowers and memorabilia have been placed at her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and dozens of people danced and sang her hits outside Harlem’s Apollo Theatre in New York on Thursday night.

Tributes have continued to flood in from stars including Dolly Parton, Sir Elton John and Oprah Winfrey.

Evangelist Franklin Graham tweeted: “She began singing Gospel music as a child at her church in Detroit where her father was a pastor. Our prayers are with her family.

“Aretha Franklin once said, ‘Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I’m using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use’.”

US presidents have also been paying tribute to Franklin.

Barack Obama – whose inauguration she sang at – described her as “divine and unmatched”, while Donald Trump said her voice was a gift from God.

Civil rights campaigner Reverend Al Sharpton says she was the soundtrack of the movement.

Franklin’s death was confirmed by her long-time publicist, Gwendolyn Quinn, on behalf of her family, who said she died “surrounded by family and loved ones”.

Franklin’s ex-husband, Glynn Turman, has said the singer was…