Hartlepool family's heartbreaking tribute to kind Danny Thorpe who was 'the life and soul of the party'

Danny was the ‘life and soul of the party’, a kind-hearted man who would do anything for anyone and could light up a room the moment he entered it.

Now his grieving family are coming to terms with the devastating loss after the 31-year-old was found dead on Friday, March 6.

Danny, who attended The English Martyrs School, touched the lives of hundreds of people and his family say they have found some comfort in the ‘overwhelming’ number of tributes that have been paid to the dedicated Newcastle United fan.

Fellow supporters have now planned a minute’s applause on the 31st minute of the club’s game against Sheffield United on Saturday, March 14.

His devastated mum, Dawn Thorpe said: “He would light up a room every time he walked in. He would do anything for a laugh.

“It has left a massive whole in our family and we will never be the same again.

“We expect for him to walk through the door and every time we hear motorbike outside we think it’s him.”

Danny, who worked at Rafferty’s in Hartlepool, always loved football and had played for his St Cuthberts RC School and Hartlepool Town – and he even played at Wembley in 2002.

Newcastle United always held a special place in his heart and he followed the club home and away.

His older sister, Kristina Thorpe-Aspinall, says he could make friends with anyone and they’ve received messages from people Danny had befriended on trains and at matches.

Kristina, 32, said: “It’s absolutely overwhelming. The support has been amazing it’s comforting to know how well liked he was.

“He’s one of the best brothers I could ever have. He was the quiet one of the twins but there's only 16 months between us so we’ve always been really close.

“He gave me away at my wedding and I never would have asked anyone else.”

His heartbroken family are now trying to raise awareness of male suicide and encouraging family and friends to talk to one another.

Kristina said: “He went to work and he’d recently booked holidays and tickets to go see The Killers in London.

“You don’t know what’s going on in someone’s head and what they’re struggling with.

“He was laughing with my mam on Thursday night and we found him on Friday – that’s what we just can’t understand.”

Danny leaves behind mum Dawn, dad Phillip, twin brother Phillip, sisters Kristina and Lily, half siblings Neil, William and Katie.

Hartlepool charity Miles for Men has also contacted the family and offered to provide the horse and carriage for his funeral.

Two Go Fund Me pages have been set up to support Danny’s family and have raised more than £1,500. To donate click here.

Danny’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, March 24 at 10.45am at St Cuthbert’s RC Church, in Stratford Road.

*You don’t have to be suicidal to call Samaritans. Whatever you’re going through, call for free any time on 0191 116 123.*