TRIBUTES have been paid to a hugely popular employee of Wythall firm Selco who died suddenly earlier this week.

Mitchell Bastable died on Tuesday morning after suffering bleeding on the brain.

The 45-year-old, an amateur dramatic enthusiast, had played a host of top roles with local operatic societies and theatre companies in recent years.

But perhaps his greatest and most nerve-wracking performance came backstage when he proposed to his sweetheart and co-star Beth Berwick-Lowe after they appeared together in West Side Story at Stourbridge Town Hall in March this year.

Mitchell, a father-of-two, popped the question in a perfectly-planned proposal on set after the curtain fell following the last night of the show.

The pair, from Kidderminster, had met and fallen in love on the amateur dramatic circuit and had hoped to marry in 2020.

Heartbroken Beth confirmed on Facebook the devastating news that her "soulmate" had passed away on August 7 after suffering two bleeds on the brain.

She said that he "just couldn't be saved".

She said: "The light has left my life. We are all utterly heartbroken."

Close friend and work colleague Lisa Dignam said: "It’s completely tragic that he has been taken away from us so suddenly and at such a young age. He was not only one of my closest friends but my work colleague too and he has touched the lives of so many he has come in to contact with over the years.

"He will be sadly missed by so many and the tributes on Facebook just show how loved and highly thought of he was."

Howard Luft, chief executive of Selco Builders Warehouse, said: “Everyone within the business is devastated by the news.

"Mitch was an important and valued member of the Selco team for two years and his enthusiasm and dedication to his work as a recruitment advisor always shone through.

“He was hugely popular amongst all of his colleagues and he will be sadly missed.”

  • Mitchell's funeral will take place on Friday August 24 at 11.15am at St Mary and All Saints Church, Kidderminster.