POP diva Whitney Houston's ex husband, Bobby Brown, did not stay to hear the tributes delivered at her funeral yesterday.

Minutes after arriving at the New Hope Baptist Church in her hometown of Newark, New Jersey, last night, Brown left. Houston's ex-husband does not enjoy a close relationship with the late star's family.

But according to the NY Daily News, Brown entered the church about 15 minutes before the service and left with his son, Landon, about 20 minutes after it began.

Superstars Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and R.Kelly were among those who sang at the service. Wonder said: "I want to thank God for allowing me to be in this world at the same time as Whitney. In my fantasy world I had a little crush on her, I think everyone did."

Wonder performed Ribbon in the Sky a song which she is said to have been one of Houston's favourites.

''Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin was due to sing Houston's hit The Greatest Love of All but pulled out at the last minute after falling ill.

A six-time Grammy award winner, Houston, 48, died last Saturday in a Beverly Hills Hotel. She was found submerged in the bathtub.

More than 1500 guests attended the private service, including music mogul Clive Davis, and Hollywood star Kevin Costner - who co-starred with Houston in the film The Bodyguard.

Costner speaking at the funeral said: "Whitney, you were as beautiful as a woman could be.

"You leave us with memories of the little girl who stepped bravely in front of this stage, in front of the people that loved you the most.

"To Bobbi Kristina and all the other young girls who think they're not good enough to sing her songs, she'd say guard your bodies and guard the precious miracle of your life and make God wonder how he created something so perfect.

"Off you go, Whitney, off you go.

"And when you sing before Him, don't you worry, you'll be good enough."

Houston's cousin, Dionne Warwick, sang and delivered a speech in the very church where Houston sang as a child in the choir with her mother, Cissy Houston.

Houston sold millions of records during her 30-year career, which peaked in 1992. But in recent years, she hit the headlines for her battle with drug addiction.

But Houston's personal life was rocky. She admitted to the heavy use of cocaine, marijuana, alcohol and prescription pills.

There was a strong police presence at her invitation-only funeral. - ,The Telegraph, Reuters Sapa-AP and The Guardian