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Nick Alexander tribute: 'Clever' and 'charming' man Nick Alexander tribute: 'Clever' and 'charming' man
(about 1 hour later)
A British man killed in the Paris attacks has been described as "clever" and "having a lot of charm".A British man killed in the Paris attacks has been described as "clever" and "having a lot of charm".
Nick Alexander, 36, of Colchester in Essex, was killed on Friday at the Bataclan concert hall, where he was selling band merchandise.Nick Alexander, 36, of Colchester in Essex, was killed on Friday at the Bataclan concert hall, where he was selling band merchandise.
The director of Colchester Arts Centre, where he used to run a club night, said his death was "desperately sad".The director of Colchester Arts Centre, where he used to run a club night, said his death was "desperately sad".
France's Tricolore flag has now been raised to fly at half-mast over the town hall in Mr Alexander's memory.France's Tricolore flag has now been raised to fly at half-mast over the town hall in Mr Alexander's memory.
More than 80 people are believed to have died at the Bataclan concert hall, one of the locations targeted as gunmen and suicide bombers carried out attacks.More than 80 people are believed to have died at the Bataclan concert hall, one of the locations targeted as gunmen and suicide bombers carried out attacks.
The US band Eagles of Death Metal were playing a gig when attackers burst into the venue and opened fire, but the band themselves survived unscathed.The US band Eagles of Death Metal were playing a gig when attackers burst into the venue and opened fire, but the band themselves survived unscathed.
IS militants have claimed responsibility for the attacks.IS militants have claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The centre's Anthony Roberts said the former Colchester Royal Grammar School pupil ran the monthly Club Svelte night at the venue about 15 years ago and was "well-known" in the town.The centre's Anthony Roberts said the former Colchester Royal Grammar School pupil ran the monthly Club Svelte night at the venue about 15 years ago and was "well-known" in the town.
"Nick came to us as a very young guy with the idea of running a club night - like a lot of young people did - but there was something about his personality and energy," he said."Nick came to us as a very young guy with the idea of running a club night - like a lot of young people did - but there was something about his personality and energy," he said.
"He was the creator, instigator, DJ and the personality of the club night."He was the creator, instigator, DJ and the personality of the club night.
"He was a particularly lively and driven character and had a lot of charm, but could back it up by being clever.""He was a particularly lively and driven character and had a lot of charm, but could back it up by being clever."
Mr Roberts said the night, which ran for about two years, regularly attracted a sell-out crowd of 400 people.Mr Roberts said the night, which ran for about two years, regularly attracted a sell-out crowd of 400 people.
A tribute night called Peace, Love and Understanding is to be held at the centre at a later date so the "community where he was loved and grew up" can celebrate his life, Mr Roberts added.A tribute night called Peace, Love and Understanding is to be held at the centre at a later date so the "community where he was loved and grew up" can celebrate his life, Mr Roberts added.
Mr Alexander, who went to university in Liverpool, had been selling merchandise for the Eagles of Death Metal when he was killed and had previously toured with a number of acts.Mr Alexander, who went to university in Liverpool, had been selling merchandise for the Eagles of Death Metal when he was killed and had previously toured with a number of acts.
They included the Africa Express music project, founded by Blur's Damon Albarn and writer and campaigner Ian Birrell.They included the Africa Express music project, founded by Blur's Damon Albarn and writer and campaigner Ian Birrell.
"He loved music, lived with a smile on his face, died a hero," Mr Birrell tweeted."He loved music, lived with a smile on his face, died a hero," Mr Birrell tweeted.
Musician Yusuf Islam, commonly known by his former stage name Cat Stevens, has tweeted that Mr Alexander worked as his tour merchandiser last year.Musician Yusuf Islam, commonly known by his former stage name Cat Stevens, has tweeted that Mr Alexander worked as his tour merchandiser last year.
"Sending love and condolences to his family," he wrote."Sending love and condolences to his family," he wrote.
Joe Trohman, lead guitarist of the rock band Fall Out Boy also paid tribute to Mr Alexander on social media, describing him as a "great guy".Joe Trohman, lead guitarist of the rock band Fall Out Boy also paid tribute to Mr Alexander on social media, describing him as a "great guy".
In a statement released on Saturday evening, Mr Alexander's family said: "Nick died doing the job he loved. Peace and light."In a statement released on Saturday evening, Mr Alexander's family said: "Nick died doing the job he loved. Peace and light."
Colchester Borough Council leader Paul Smith said the flag had been raised over the town hall as a "mark of solidarity" with the French and will fly for the next three days.Colchester Borough Council leader Paul Smith said the flag had been raised over the town hall as a "mark of solidarity" with the French and will fly for the next three days.
"Our thoughts naturally go out to all of those whose lives have been tragically affected and altered by these terrible events, and in particular to the family and friends of Colchester citizen Nick Alexander," he said."Our thoughts naturally go out to all of those whose lives have been tragically affected and altered by these terrible events, and in particular to the family and friends of Colchester citizen Nick Alexander," he said.
The Bishop of Chelmsford Stephen Cottrell said he has sent a message to the family of Mr Alexander, who was an altar boy at St Andrew's parish church in Weeley.The Bishop of Chelmsford Stephen Cottrell said he has sent a message to the family of Mr Alexander, who was an altar boy at St Andrew's parish church in Weeley.
"We are standing alongside you in your grief and praying for you in your loss," he told them."We are standing alongside you in your grief and praying for you in your loss," he told them.
The tributes to Mr Alexander come as a British survivor of the Bataclan attack described how he lay on his girlfriend as people were shot dead around them.The tributes to Mr Alexander come as a British survivor of the Bataclan attack described how he lay on his girlfriend as people were shot dead around them.
Michael O'Connor, from South Tyneside, said the scene inside the concert venue was "like a slaughterhouse" and feared he was going to die.Michael O'Connor, from South Tyneside, said the scene inside the concert venue was "like a slaughterhouse" and feared he was going to die.
On Saturday night, several buildings across England were lit up in blue, white and red as a mark of respect, including Tower Bridge, the London Eye and Blackpool Tower. On Saturday night, several buildings across England were lit up in blue, white and red as a mark of respect, including Tower Bridge, the London Eye and Blackpool Tower, while the words "je suis Paris" were projected on to the River Wear.
Flags have also been flown at half-mast at all public buildings on the island of Jersey, 12 miles (19km) from France, with many of its buildings illuminated.
A candlelit vigil to remember those killed in the Paris attacks is due to be held in Birmingham at 18:00 GMT.A candlelit vigil to remember those killed in the Paris attacks is due to be held in Birmingham at 18:00 GMT.