Tributes paid to 'prankster' and 'life of the party' dad-of-two who died following mental health battle

Emotional tributes have been paid to a 'prankster' dad and fiancé who was the 'life and soul of every party' following his death. Niall Tyrell, 28, from Blackley, tragically passed away last Tuesday (May 3).

He died before getting the chance to see his youngest child Roarie celebrate his first birthday. The dad-of-two's family have paid tribute to him, describing him as the 'centre of attention' who was 'loved by everybody'.

Niall sadly died after a year-long mental health battle. His family said he was sectioned and resided in a mental health facility. He turned to social media to air his struggles in a bid to help others.

In his final post - on February 19, he shared images with his fiancé Katie and two children, including his eldest son Archie, aged 6, where he wrote: "God I wish I didn't have this illness. Life's so cruel."

READ MOREMan on roof locked in seven-hour town centre stand-off with police after 'hurling tiles'

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, his mum Joanne and younger sister Kiera, 26, remembered their 'best friend'. Kiera said: "We want to show how much Niall was loved, and send the message of how important it is for men to be able to open up and talk about how much they are struggling.

"He had two beautiful children and a fiancé and was my first and best friend. He had been struggling for the past year and had gone missing numerous times and tried to take his own life, but it was us that found him and managed to save him for as long as we did.

"We are a very very close family. He has two sons who absolutely adore him and he even stepped up as a father figure to my two daughters. He should still be with us.

"He had struggled with depression in the past, but always managed to bring himself out of