Former Paralympic table tennis champion Will Bayley pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Former Paralympic and world champion Will Bayley paid an emotional tribute to the Queen after winning gold at the Finland Para Open.

The Tunbridge Wells table tennis player revealed he "burst into tears" after learning of Her Majesty's death last Thursday, aged 96.

Bayley, who had met the Queen at Buckingham Palace, paid tribute after winning the men's class 7 title in Finland.

“For me she was like everyone’s grandma, someone who was constantly there," he said.

"We heard that she was unwell when we landed in Finland and then heard the news that she had passed away the night before the tournament started.

"When I put the news on I burst into tears and I don’t know how you can have that feeling about someone who you have never really spoken to or known that well so it just shows what an amazing person she was and how important she was to the country.

“I’ve got so much respect for the Royal Family and what they have done - they’ve always been so supportive of the Paralympics as well.

"I’ve been to the Palace and the Queen always greeted us with a smile on her face and was very generous with her time to the Paralympians.

"I don’t take that for granted because it is not a given that it happens.

"She had an amazing life and I was looking to celebrate her life and everything she has done but it is a massive loss to the country and everyone is feeling sad about it.

"All our thoughts and sympathy are with the Royal Family at this time.”