Tributes have poured in for a well known Merseyside businessman following his sudden death.
Wirral-based entrepreneur Drew Cockton, 36, was the owner of vegan fragrance brand Owen Drew, and triumphed on Dragons' Den after scooping a £50,000 investment for his business from "Dragon" Touker Suleyman on the BBC show.
Mr Cockton was also an LGBTQ campaigner and on Friday evening held the second North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards, which he founded, at Liverpool's Titanic Hotel.
READ MORE: Tributes paid after businessman Drew Cockton dies aged 36
Today Mr Cockton's mum confirmed the sad news of his death in a post on social media. The post read "We are truly, utterly heartbroken to have to tell you that our beloved Drew Peter George Cockton (my gorgeous boy) died peacefully at home yesterday. We are devastated beyond belief. Life is never, ever going to be the same again. Rest Peacefully darling boy."
Drew's partner Ryan Gunn simply posted a picture of the couple on his Facebook page with dozens of people offering their sympathies and paying tribute on the thread below.
Now ECHO readers have offered their own tributes to Mr Cockton. Sue McCann said: "Such sad news, Drew was a lovely thoughtful man. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with his family and friends."
Sheila Cooke said: "Still can’t believe it RIP Drew shining Star." Natasha McKenzie said: "Thinking of his friends and family, such a sad loss x."
Christine Howard said: "I had the pleasure of knowing Drew, along with many of my friends. This is such sad news today. Drew was a beautiful person, inside and out."
Paula Holmes Carr said: "Very sad news. You did amazing in your short life , in business and raising awareness about mental health and bipolar and LGQBT community I’ll light one of your lovely candles tonight in your memory."
Tracey Meads said: "How sad such a shock for his family, friends and colleagues." Sam Bennett said: "Such sad news, went to school with Drew."
Steven Shanley said: "Very sad. May he RIP. Condolences to all his family and friends." Eleri Lewis said: "So so sad to hear this news. "
Carol Bater said: "Such sad news thinking of all Drews family friends and colleagues." Jennie Green said: "Oh my god how sad, met him at an opening he had for his company. His stuff was lovely."
Mr Cockton rose to prominence after scooping a huge investment from multimillionaire Mr Suleyman on Dragons' Den. The budding entrepreneur impressed the Dragons after detailing his previous mental health issues and explaining why these were the driving force behind the creation of his business - and why the concept of wellness was so important to him.
Viewers watched as Drew began by explaining to the Dragons how at the age of 22, he had opened a hotel business on Manchester's Canal Street, quitting his job in financial services "against all the advice of my family" after he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
At the time, he said: "I was totally inexperienced. I was working so hard that I actually made myself quite ill and had a breakdown."
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