A GRIEF-STRICKEN dad has paid tribute to his 32-year-old son who died of a heart attack in Dubai.

Anthony Millward, of Raylees, Ramsbottom, a nurse in the United Arab Emirates, died in the hospital where he worked on November 29.

The father-of-one’s body is still to be repatriated and his funeral arrangements have not yet been confirmed.

Anthony’s father, Nigel, aged 57, said: “We are all devastated. Because it happened so far away, it has made us all feel so useless and helpless. He was a wonderful fun-loving person who had a passion for travelling and was popular among many friends — not only locally, but all around the world. We shall miss him terribly.”

In his childhood, Anthony swam for Ramsbottom Rascals, took part in judo at Ramsbottom Youth Club and played for Sedgley Rugby Club.

Anthony studied at St Paul’s Primary School, Woodhey High School and Bury College before taking a nursing degree at Salford University. He trained as an intensive care nurse at Royal Oldham Hospital. In his early 20s, Anthony emigrated to Sydney, where he worked as a nurse for four years before returning to the UK. He also travelled to South Africa and South America and worked in the North West of England as a nursing adviser before moving to Dubai in March this year.

Nigel said: “He had a good network of friends and, though he was only six months into his three-year contract, he talked about staying even longer because he loved the place so much. The last time we saw him was when he came back for his sister Janine’s wedding on July 22.

“We spoke to him the night before he died on the phone and he seemed fit, healthy and happy.”

Anthony’s family say he arrived for work as normal but colleagues became concerned when he went off for an unusually long time.

They found him unconscious in a toilet cubicle and he could not be revived.

A local coroner recorded that he had died due to a heart attack brought on by natural causes. Anthony’s colleagues broke the news to his parents by phone.

Anthony leaves son Owen, aged five, mum Jackie Millward, sisters Janine Campbell, aged 30, and Jenna Millward, aged 28, nephew Seth, aged eight months, and grandparents Peter and Betty Ridgway and Derek Millward.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Booth and Wolstenholme on 01706 826661.