A Come Dine With Me contestant found dead at his Winsford home has been hailed as ‘charismatic’, ‘intelligent’ and ‘charming’ by viewers.

The popular Channel 4 home dining show paid tribute to Nicholas Blything when the TV show was screened last summer.

Viewers turned to Funeral Notices to pay tribute to the vibrant person they had been watching enjoying dinner parties during the week-long show.

One woman said: “I loved that he was true to himself and never wavered. What a charming young man.”

One viewer said: “What a thoroughly charismatic and deeply intelligent young man.”

Another added: “He was funny sweet and intelligent. I was so sad to see he is no longer with us.”

The 36-year-old was found dead at his home on James Clarke Road by his brother Richard on June 15, last year.

Nicholas had mental health issues for many years and had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, an inquest at Warrington heard on Monday.

In written evidence, his sister Michelle told the hearing that Nicholas had been suffering from depression and anxiety following an incident in April last year, when he had threatened to take his own life.

However, in the weeks before he died, his mental health seemed to be improving.

In a statement, Michelle said: “Once he started anti-depressant medication, his mood lifted.

“He was very buoyant. He collected his dog from his parents and bedding plants for his garden from his uncle.

“He sorted out food shopping and started mowing the lawn.

“I thought my brother was back to the best I had known him in years.”

In a report, Dr Achia Damania, from Swanlow Lane surgery, said Nicholas had a very good engagement with GPs and attended regular appointments and talking therapy sessions.

The mental health community team also provided help and support.

Nicholas, who was unemployed, had contacted the crisis line several times saying he was struggling with anxiety and low mood but was not suicidal, the court heard.

However, several notes were found at his home following his death.

Addressing his family and friends, Nicholas said: “You did everything you could to help me. It is my burden to bear but it is too much.”

In a message to people who lived nearby, he said: “Thank you for being such good neighbours. I loved all the drinks and meals we shared together.

“I love you all dearly.”

Cheshire area coroner Claire Welch said: “It seemed to all those who knew him, his family and friends, that he was improving.

“The statement from his brother confirms that he was making plans for the future.

“However, he apologised to his family and friends that everything had become ‘too much for him to bear’.

“From the notes he left, it is evident that he did intend to take his own life.”

Reaching a conclusion of suicide, Ms Welch offered her heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

“Seeing him make so much improvement, I can only imagine how difficult his death must be for them, she said.

“May I take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt condolences.”

An earlier version of this article attributed the tribute read out by the coroner to Richard Blything rather than Michelle Blything due to a clerical error in court. We apologise for the error.