TRIBUTES have been paid to a loving dad, son and brother, who has died.

James Ellis passed away on September 9, surrounded by his family at home in Westhoughton.

His brother Liam said: “He was definitely a larger than life character and you could say he was the life and soul of the party.

“He had a great sense of humour and everybody just loved him and wanted to be around him.

“He was one of those people who walked into the room and you knew he was there. He just lit the place up.

“James also had an infectious laugh which would make everyone start to laugh.

“He was very much a bloke’s bloke and his personality was a cheeky chappy and that would make him get away with it.”

The 51-year-old went to St Joseph’s School in Horwich and left there to work for his dad in the family business J Ellis Painters and Decorators.

“He took over the business when our dad died in 2002.

“He was very good at the painting and decorating and my dad was a bit jealous that he was maybe a better painter and decorator.”

Among his hobbies included a love for music.

Liam added: “He was a very talented musician and sang with his friends and loved to do Oasis and Paul Weller songs.

“He also loved to go mountain biking and went with his daughter Bianca and was even happy to do things on his own and was very independent.

“He was also very into his football and supported Manchester United.”

Liam said they were ‘very proud’ to call James their brother and part of the family.

“We were brought up Catholic and my mum was living on the Greek island of Rhodes and he took my son, dad, and brother Michael and they repainted the inside of The Santa Maria Church. They were really impressed with it.”

Liam had lots of fond memories with his brother from the 1980s and 1990s of the rave scene.

“He was into his designer clothes and if you bought a shirt and James said it was cool, then you knew it had the seal of approval.”

James was a dog-lover and adopted a dog called ‘Fella’ and ‘gave him a wonderful life for six years’.

A funeral service is taking place at Sacred Heart RC Church, Lord Street, Westhoughton, on September 29 at 12 noon.

The family have set up a Justgiving page for donations in his memory on behalf of The Dogs Trust.

For more information about the funeral contact Deighans Funeral Services on 01204 238393.