TRIBUTES have been paid to a Primrose Hill man whose body was found in the Regent s Canal near Camden Lock exactly a week after he went missing. Friends and relatives of popular 30-year-old John Regan, from Chalcot Road, this week flooded s

Ben McPartland

TRIBUTES have been paid to a Primrose Hill man whose body was found in the Regent's Canal near Camden Lock exactly a week after he went missing.

Friends and relatives of popular 30-year-old John Regan, from Chalcot Road, this week flooded social networking site facebook with messages following his tragic death.

An intensive search had been launched in the area after his disappearance on the evening of November 18.

He had left a bar in Chalk Farm Road and CCTV captured him heading through Camden market towards the canal - seemingly on his way home.

His body was pulled out of the water near Camden West Quay last Thursday at 3am after being spotted by police on patrol. How his life came to such a tragic end is still a mystery.

In a statement, Mr Regan's mother Jayne, his brother Paul and two sisters Jen and Janet said: "John's body was recovered in the early hours of November 26 in the canal where he was last seen.

"This was a tragic accident and John will be greatly missed by family and friends. We would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support over the last week."

The family has requested that tributes are left in places where Mr Regan was at his happiest, rather than at the spot where his body was found.

Mr Regan, an avid Manchester United fan and keen poker player, worked as a sports analyst for the firm Star Lizard in Camden Town.

He will be sorely missed by those who knew him both in London and in his hometown of Matlock, Derbyshire.

Virgil Andrew, 30, Mr Regan's friend and flatmate, described him as "the most generous, kind man you could meet".

"He was my best friend and like a brother to me," he said.

"He was always full of beans and loved banter. He was extremely quick-witted and intelligent. He was so young and had everything going for him."

Mr Regan's family arrived in London last week and joined the intensive search.

Posters were put up throughout the area and CCTV footage was trawled through to try to find clues to his disappearance.

Thousands spread the word on the internet to raise the profile of the missing man.

Hundreds of grieving friends and relatives have posted messages on the Facebook page the family set up in Mr Regan's honour.

Among the many posts one friend wrote: "A super, super nice bloke who was incredibly intelligent, interesting and funny and very unique.

"In short, a brilliant person to be around who gave me so much happiness over the years."

Another added: "Truly devastating news. John was a smashing guy, who made everybody smile as soon as they saw him.

"He was a true gentleman with a real zest for life. I have truly great memories of a brilliant guy. He will be missed, my thoughts go out to all his family.