Debbie Reynolds's death was a "beautiful exit"

Speaking at a joint public memorial for the pair in Los Angeles on Saturday (25.03.17), he said: "When Carrie died, my mother decided to change her plans a bit. My mother always said to me, 'I never want to go to my daughter's funeral service. I would like to be buried with Carrie.' I didn't know she was going to leave us that very next day and when she looked at me to ask permission to leave, she said she wanted to be with Carrie, and she closed her eyes and went to sleep. It was a beautiful exit."

The memorial - held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park - also included a tribute song written by James Blunt, a close friend of Carrie's.

He did not attend the service but the song accompanied a video montage.

Todd revealed he decided on a public memorial because his mother would have wanted her fans to be involved.

He said: "The public is invited because that's how my mother would want it. She was very connected to her fans and felt they were a part of her, so we're opening it to the public."

The service was also livestreamed on Debbie's website.