DANCE music fans have been left shocked at the sudden death of a popular Stourbridge character and festival promoter who was found dead at home.

Reuben Seager, a freelance promoter, writer and band manager, was found to have passed away in his sleep earlier this week.

The 41-year-old was said to have been found by his father - famous glass artist Harry Seager - at his home in Oldswinford on Wednesday.

The cause of death has not yet been established.

A former Old Swinford Hospital School student – Reuben studied history of art and architecture at Birmingham University before carving out a name for himself promoting dance night events and artists.

His mum Marie Seager said the family had been left devastated by Reuben’s sudden death.

She said: “All we know is that he died in his sleep. We won’t really know any more until the post mortem.”

Kingswinford music promoter Craig Gutteridge said he was stunned to hear the news of his friend’s untimely death.

He said: “I got to know Reuben through partying in the 80s. He was a good-hearted man. I’m shocked and upset; we all are.”

The pair became closer when Craig set up Illusion Events – putting on festivals and old skool dance nights in clubs – which Reuben got involved in promoting a few years ago.

Facebook pal Tony Sara was one of many to leave a tribute on the social networking site on which he described the news as “so sad”.

He posted: “You always seemed to put a smile on everyone’s face wherever u went. Life wont quite be the same without u around.”

Wordsley life coach and friend Sunil Chopra said Reuben was “one of a kind”.

One Facebook friend simply described him as a “legend” and another said: “Stourbridge has lost a dear friend.”

Reuben’s funeral is expected to be held in Birmingham in the next few days but no date has yet been set.

A number of friends have already indicated they hope to stage tribute gigs in his memory.

Craig Gutteridge said he hoped to put on a special Illusion night and Tony Sara said that he, Jim Smith and Kev Fradgley are looking at arranging a memorial party so friends can “raise one last glass in tribute to him”.