THE parents of a former club singer have spoken of their grief after he drowned while on holiday.

Spanish doctors battled in vain to save 51-year-old Stephen Walton after he fell into a canal on the island of Majorca.

He told his mother, Margaret, he was going to a karaoke bar, after taking her back to their apartment hours after arriving in Alcudia.

It was the last time the 75-year-old would see her son alive.

Speaking from the home they shared in South Cross Street in Leadgate, near Consett, County Durham, Mrs Walton said: “They said it was tragic accident and he had fallen in. He did not know his way around and there was a big drop.

"It would have been hard to get out of. That is all we know. No-one can believe it. It is heart breaking.”

The accident happened in the early hours of October 3 and Mrs Walton was joined by her daughter, Susan and her grandsons, John and Jonathan, (corr) for four days before they returned to the North-East following the tragedy.

Mr Walton’s body was flown home on Thursday and an inquest is being opened by the County Durham coroner tomorrow (Monday, October 21).

He worked as a security for Elddis, in Delves Lane, near Consett, and was single with no children, but doted on his nieces and nephews.

His father, James Walton, a 74-year-old retired miner, who did not join Stephen and his wife on the holiday, said his son was ‘well liked’.

He said: “He was quiet and shy, but was popular and always fun. He liked talking to people, but was quite comfortable in his own company.

“He spent all of his time at home with his music. He liked all kinds, but especially Elvis. He was into geography and wildlife, he had all sorts of interests.”

The family plan to hold his funeral at Mountsett Crematorium in Dipton later this week and have requested family flowers only with donations to be made to the Great North Air Ambulance.

Mr Walton added: “It has not sunk in yet properly. It feels like a bad dream. I keep expecting to see him when I come down in the morning, but, of course I don’t.”