James Brown Funeral Service Announced

James Brown is to receive a public funeral on Saturday (December 30).

A massive ceremony for the Godfather of Soul will be held at an 8,000 capacity arena in Augusta at 1pm local time. Civil rights leader and close friend Al Shapton will host the service.

A separate private ceremony for close family and friends will take place a day earlier at an undisclosed setting.

Fans who wish to pay their respects will also get the chance to see Brown when his body lies in state at the famous Apollo Theatre in New York tomorrow (December 28).

James Brown died of pneumonia in the early hours of Christmas morning aged 73.