Come Dine With Me star who worked as fitness coach dies at 50 with friends 'heartbroken'
Come Dine With Me star Indy Nijjar has died aged 50, leaving his friends and fans devastated.
The TV personality from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, who worked as a tattoo artist and fitness coach, was described as "larger than life" and "an absolute legend".
A heartbroken friend paid tribute to him on social media, calling him "the biggest sweetheart with the biggest heart".
Indy ran a long-standing tattoo parlour called Indy N Ink in Grimsby and was a well-loved and well-known man in the area.
He also worked as a dedicated fitness coach at the Oasis Health Club gym. The Mirror reports how one of the late star's final posts on Instagram may had hinted he was in "pain".
He shared picture of a T-shirt with a smiley face logo scrupled up on a couch, turning the face more into a grimace, was captioned: "Even the geez on the sofa feeling ma Pain."
In 2011, he appeared as a contestant on the popular Channel 4 TV show Come Dine With Me, where he was an instant hit due to his life-of-the-party personality.
He hosted a summer-themed dinner party, encouraging his guests to show up in their best swimwear to try his food.
Come Dine with Me sees strangers compete to be voted the host with the most in the hopes of winning a cash prize.
While Indy didn’t finish first, his winning personality saw him finish as runner-up. Tributes are flooding in on social media, with those who knew him "devastated" and "heartbroken" by his passing.
One pal wrote: "I will miss you, my dear friend. Rest easy Indy Nijjar, you were larger than life, always on the dance floor, the biggest sweetheart with the biggest heart."
Another added: "Uplifting soul. A legend. He helped so many people from all walks of life. My deepest condolences to his son, family, and all the literally thousands of people who knew him. RIP matey."
A third person who knew him said he was one of the "strongest men" and "an absolute legend" who would help anyone.
"I can’t believe one of the strongest men I know has been taken from us… this guy would help anyone out and has helped a lot of people with their problems," they said.
They added: "He inspired me as a young kid… when I found out the news this morning it broke my heart, you're gonna be missed by so many brother."
Another heartbroken person penned: "Hearing the sad news that my good friend Indy Nijjar isn’t here anymore has truly broken my heart.
"He was one of the best people I have ever known, he was always there for anyone who needed anything, he was on the end of the phone anytime I needed."
