A GYM owner has died suddenly at home aged 50.

Michael Coupe, who owned Fitness Factory in Burnley, passed away on Thursday but the cause of his death is not yet known.

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It comes a mere fortnight after the death of Michael’s mother, Elsie Coupe-Tenant, 78, who lived in the United States.

Michael’s fiancee, Sam Metcalfe, and scores of friends have paid tribute to the bodybuilding dad-of-two, calling him ‘our big, cuddly bear’.

Sam, an accounts clerk from Fairways Drive, Burnley, said Michael’s death had come as a terrible shock.

She said: “He had been chatting to friends downstairs on Thursday night. I told him I was going to bed and he said he’d be up in a bit.

“Usually, he would just watch some TV and then come up, but he never made it.

“It was horrendous finding him there. It’s completely unexpected. We have no idea what it was, but he has been stressed recently.

“His mum has been ill, having seizures, for years, and it has taken its toll on him.

“He was such a kind and generous man. To everybody in the family, he was our big, cuddly bear. It’s been incredibly hard for our son Benjamin, who’s eight, so I’ve just gone into survival mode. I have to be strong for him. All his friends and family have been really supportive and amazing. I couldn’t have got through this without them. All the staff were amazing.”

Michael’s business partner, Margaret Duckworth, who this April revived the popular Mr Pennine bodybuilding show in Colne with him, said she will keep the event going in his memory.

Margaret, who has been friends with Michael for more than 20 years and owns Intershape Fitness gym in Colne, said: “It’s really important to me, because he worked so hard on the show, that we keep it alive in his name. It’s been such a shock and we’re all absolutely devastated. He was a lovely guy and an amazing dad and we’re going to miss him.”

Michael also leaves his daughter Ashley, step-daughter Jody, sisters Anita and Jennifer, and brother Christopher.

The funeral will be held at Inghamite Church, in Wheatley Road, Fence, on Monday at noon. Flowers can be laid and donations can be made to the North West Air Ambulance.