A 34-year-old Bradford snooker ace has lost his battle against lung cancer just weeks after he was forced to postpone his wedding.

Stars from the world of snooker were today joining friends and family of John Bedford to say goodbye to the popular former professional player at a funeral service.

John, known as 'Jonboy' to his family, died in Kerry Bull's arms in Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield, on November 19 - just over a year after he was diagnosed with the killer disease.

The winner of the Bradford and Yorkshire amateur titles, the Telegraph & Argus Trophy in 1987, and the Yorkshire handicap crown, he was a popular face at Allerton's Cuedos Snooker Club where he used to practise with World Champion Joe Johnson.

He was due to get married in September but the couple postponed their wedding because John - who had undergone chemotherapy - hoped his hair would grow back for the wedding pictures.

John's mum Ann Bedford, 51, of Middlebrook Crescent, Fairweather Green, said: "Kerry and John were so much in love. She changed his life altogether and she really made him happy. They had so many plans. John was the happiest man alive.

"After they postponed the wedding, they wanted to get married in Las Vegas next year but Kerry's wedding dress is still hanging up. They had just bought a new house in Doncaster and signed the papers two weeks ago. John never walked in as the owner. "He adored Kerry and never stopped talking about her."

After a three-year stint on the professional snooker circuit, John left Bradford to live with his brother in Canada, where he met Kerry.

The couple spent nine months touring the world in 2001 before settling in Doncaster where he worked as a forklift driver.

"He was devastated when he found out," said Mrs Bedford. "John did not smoke and the doctors still do not know what caused it. He used to play in a smoky room in the club but they ruled that out.

"Right to the end he was so sure he was going to get better. I think he knew in the back of his mind he was dying but he never actually said it. He amazed me because he was so brave. He was a fighter to the end.

"He did not want to die in hospital but I am glad he died with someone he loved. The day he died I had told him I loved him and the last thing he said to me was 'I love you'."

John's dad Keith, 25-year-old sister Sarah and brothers Richard, 32, Michael, 30, and Simon, 27, are all devastated.

Regulars from Cuedos were expected to join former world snooker champion Joe Johnson, who used to practise with John, at today's funeral service at Rose Hill Crematorium in Doncaster at 1.30pm.

Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh's dad, John, had known the snooker ace since he started playing at the Cuedos as a teenager.

He said: "Kimberley was very shocked. John was a lovely lad. I watched him grow up and play. He was one of the best snooker players the club has ever seen."