James' older brother, Alex, 26, added: "He was such a lively character. There was not enough hours in the day for him.

"He used to sing and dance as well - some producers in Australia heard him having a laugh in a bar with some friends and asked him to make a tape. I'm a musician - I can't believe my younger brother was being pursued for his voice!"

Bernard, Alex and James' mum, Maxine, now have a poignant memory of James - his version of Robbie Williams' Angels which they had never heard before.

James went to Great Budworth Primary and The King's School in Macclesfield.

His funeral mass will be held at St Vincent's RC Church, Knutsford this Friday, October 9 at 1pm. He will be buried privately at Great Budworth Church.

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