TERENCE LAKETerence Lake, a 34-year-old father-of-one who collapsed and died while dancing at a friend's birthday party, had been suffering from severe heart disease.
Mr Lake, known as Tek, was celebrating a pal's 30th birthday at Aston Court Hotel, in Derby, on 25 August, 2008 when the tragedy happened.
He had complained of feeling unwell earlier in the week and his girlfriend of 11 years, Hayley Andrew, had suggested he visit a doctor. But he did not get around to it and his illness was revealed only after his death.
Miss Andrew said: "He had a few funny turns in the week and a bit of tingling and pains in his arm but didn't get round to seeing the doctor.
"We were having a brilliant time at the party and had booked to stay overnight. Tek had been dancing all night and then they put Valerie, by Amy Winehouse, on and he started breakdancing.
"He was really going for it and then suddenly he just lay down and that was it, he didn't get up again."
Miss Andrew, of Mackworth in Derby, said she would make sure her and Tek's three-year-old son, Sonny Oscar, grew up knowing all about his father.
She said: "Tek loved being a dad. He would always talk about taking Sonny to boxing matches when he was older, as he loved boxing."
A former Bemrose School pupil, Mr Lake worked for gas servicing company AMEC and was a regular at Derby's Dog and Partridge pub, in Bedford Street, and, before it was demolished, the Roebuck Inn, in Amy Street, which Miss Andrew's mother used to run.
He loved travelling abroad and especially enjoyed the holidays he took in Greece.
Miss Andrew said: "He lived for his holidays, he absolutely loved them."
She added: "He was such a popular guy. Everyone who knew him loved him."
Mr Lake was survived by his father – also known as Tek – mother Doreen and sisters Lorraine and Angela.
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