A young man died from testicular cancer just weeks before his daughter was born - despite never showing any signs of deteriorating health.
Michael Hall was 27 years old when he suddenly collapsed at his home in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, on May 27.
He was rushed to hospital and treated for a pulmonary embolism at South Tyneside District Hospital, but died just a day later.
His girlfriend Amy Day gave birth to their daughter, Chloe Grace, on Michael's 28th birthday, Chronicle Live reports.
Michael is among 10 percent of testicular cancer patients who do not show any symptoms of illness until death.
Amy told Chronicle Live: "There's been a lot of sadness, and we're still very cut up by it. We're a very close-knit family, and we have helped each other a lot
"We're all still heartbroken."
Michael, from The Nook, enjoyed playing football and socialising with friends.
His life was changed when he met his partner Amy, 26, and the couple began to enjoy life together as a family with six-year-old stepdaughter Amelia.
His heartbroken cousin Caroline, 39, from Jarrow, said: “Michael had the most laidback personality. He was very kind-hearted, funny, and adored his family.
"He loved his football and Newcastle United was his team.
“Amy completely changed his life. He adored Amelia, and he was over the moon when he found out Amy was pregnant."
Michael had complained of back pain and sickness in the days prior to his death.
The 27-year-old had showed no other symptoms on the day he collapsed at home.
A day later, Michael's family took the devastating decision to switch off his life-support machine.
Caroline said: "It was very quick and shocking. I just thought he had some something daft and broken something.
"I didn't for a second think it was going to be serious.
“In hindsight, the bad back and him being sick were the indicators now we know what we were looking for.
"He didn't have any pain, there were no warning signs. The last thing that was on our minds when we got the coroner's report back was testicular cancer."
