Fareham postman Jamie Doidge, who is described as happy and fun-loving, died after falling from Itchen Bridge in Southampton.

His parents who live in Chale Close, Rowner, Gosport, say they had 'no inkling' their son wanted to take his own life.

His mother Angela Doidge, 49, paid tribute to her son. She said: 'He never had a bad word said about him his whole life and would always be going out of his way to help people. He had so many friends.'

His father Chris, 47, said: 'He enjoyed going out partying and having a good time, like many people his age.

'He would light up the room.'

The former Bridgemary Community School pupil died on Monday, December 8. The last person to see him alive was his boyfriend who gave him a lift to Bursledon railway station so he could make his way home.

But instead of catching a train, the former Bridgemary Community School pupil booked in to a hotel room and wrote a letter to his family and friends explaining why he intended to take his own life.

He then caught the train to Woolston in Southampton and walked to Itchen Bridge.

Mr Doidge said: 'A witness said he climbed over the rails and walked calmly off. He didn't jump, he just walked calmly off.

'He knew exactly what he was doing. It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment thing. Nobody, not even his closest friends, had an inkling what he was going through.'

Fighting back the tears, Mrs Doidge recalled the moment she found out her son was dead.

She said: 'Police came and knocked on the door at 3am. It was absolutely heart-breaking. It didn't seem real, none of this does.

'He was a right joker and loved to go out dancing. In November, at Chris's sister's wedding - the last time the whole family was together - he danced all night, it was brilliant. If you'd seen him at that wedding reception, you wouldn't think he had a worry in the world.'

Chris Doidge said he wished his son could have talked through his problems with someone.

'He could have pushed any name in his phone. Anybody would have been straight there for him,' he said.

Jamie had a very close relationship with his sister Jodie, who he often went on nights out with. She said: 'He was my best mate. We were always going out having a really good time.'

His mum said: 'She's devastated. They were inseparable.'

'JAMIE WOULD WANT FUNERAL TO BE A PARTY'

Hundreds of people are expected to attend the funeral of Jamie Doidge tomorrow afternoon.

The 25-year-old postman worked at Fareham sorting office for five years and had many friends there.

Jamie's father Chris, 47, said: 'We've heard that the post office workers were called to the canteen and told about what had happened and it was a mess. There was grown men crying and everything. The reaction he's had can only make us proud that so many people loved him.'

But the funeral will not be a sombre affair, Jamie's mother Angela said.

'It's going to be a party just how he would want it,' she said. Jamie, who had a passion for music and dance, will be taken in to Portchester Crematorium to MC Hammer's hit song U Can't Touch This.

The funeral is at 3.30pm. All are welcome.