THE parents of a 25-year-old man who died when he appeared to be recovering from bowel cancer have paid tribute to him.

Phillip Kayley was found dead by his mum at him home in Ivory Street, Burnley, after she had not been seen for three days.

He had been diagnosed with bowel cancer on October 15 and had the tumour removed on the same day.

Since then he had undergone two chemotherapy sessions and seemed to have beaten the disease, with his parents saying he was 'fighting fit'.

Mum Julie, 56, of Ightenhill Park Lane, said: “Phillip was a really popular lad. Him and his friends were meant to be going out on Saturday night but around 40 of his friends went out anyway to celebrate his life.

“He enjoyed fishing and playing snooker and loved the outdoors. He was fighting fit, a few weeks before he got ill he was going to do the Garstang half-marathon and then two weeks after his operation he was walking up Pendle Hill.”

Phillip, who was manager of the McDonalds restaurant in Burnham Gate, was meant to be going out with a friend last Wednesday (January 13), but shortly after arranging the night out his friend knocked on his door and received no answer.

“He thought he had just fallen asleep,” said Julie, “the chemotherapy could make him tired. I sent a couple of text messages the day after and got no reply but that wasn’t unusual.

“I got a bit concerned though and went round on Friday and found him near his bed.”

Dad Richard, 54, lost his mum on the same day that Phillip was diagnosed with cancer last year.

He said: “October 15 is definitely a day I will never forget.

“The family are in total shock. His treatment was going really well. A few weeks ago he went to Turf Moor with his older brother Matthew, 30, and had a good time.

“He wasn’t a massive football fan but he did follow the Clarets. He went to Wembley last year and really enjoyed it.”

Phillip had two dogs, Missy and Celeste, which have been taken in by his parents. They are asking for family flowers only at his funeral, with donations to the RSPCA.

His funeral will be at Burnley Cemetery on Wednesday at 11am, with everyone welcome to attend.

Phillip also leaves behind three grandparents and his girlfriend of over a year, Maria.