Friends have paid tribute to a Bingley father-of-one who was killed when his car collided with a lamppost.

They revealed that he had been promoting himself as a DJ before the accident happened.

Rob Ingham said he believed his friend, sports centre manager Rob Dryden, 32, of Keighley, had been returning home after visiting clubs and bars in Leeds – to demonstrate his DJing talents – when he was involved in the crash in Guiseley early on Wednesday.

Mr Ingham, 32, said: “I think he had been returning from Leeds. He had been over there touting for some work as a DJ, going round some bars and was on his way back when it happened.

“I’m absolutely gutted. It always seems to happen to the good ones.”

He said Mr Dryden, who leaves a young daughter, had been passionate about DJing and had played at clubs across West Yorkshire, including regularly at K2 in North Street, Keighley.

He had also played every Saturday night for about two years at the Royal Oak, Keighley, and in the now-closed Breeze Bar in Skipton.

The former Oakbank School pupil also loved his career working for Bradford Council as a sports centre duty manager at Marley Activities Centre, socialising with friends and going to the gym.

Mr Ingham, of Keighley, said: “I saw him on Friday night and was drinking with him in Bingley. He was the life and soul of the party. He was telling me about his plans DJing and said he was going up in the world and getting loads of bookings. He was also enjoying being back in the gym and at Marley, where he worked.

Mr Dryden lived with his family in the Wheathead Lane area of Keighley but it is understood he had previously lived with friends in Bingley.

Mr Ingham added: “He was absolutely one of the nicest lads you would ever meet. He didn’t have a bad bone in his body and he always walked around with a smile on his face.

“It is a great loss. I fell so sorry for his family and his young daughter.”

Chris Lee, a member of Aire Valley FC, which trains and plays at Marley, described Mr Dryden as “a down to earth, cracking lad”.

Mr Lee, 32, of Long Lee, Keighley, said: “I think pretty much everybody on the team knew Rob from working there. He was one of life’s really nice guys.”

The crash happened near West Side Retail Park, Guiseley, shortly before 6am. Witnesses have been urged to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team on (01924) 293047 or 101.