David Hockney 'in shock' after unexplained death of assistant Dominic Elliott

ARTIST David Hockney says he is in shock after the death of his aide and friend Dominic Elliott.

The assistant, 23, complained of feeling unwell while staying at the artist's Bridlington home at the weekend.

He was driven to Scarborough Hospital by John Fitzherbert, Mr Hockney's long-term partner, at 6am on Sunday, but he died just after arrival.

It is understood that Mr Elliot had been drinking on the night before his death but it is unknown whether this contributed.

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Police are treating the death as unexplained and Mr Hockney said in a text message: "There was no party, I am in shock with this."

Mr Elliott's body has now been formally identified, Humberside Police said this morning.

A post mortem examination is due to take place this afternoon at Hull Royal Infirmary. It is not expected to be concluded until early evening.

Police said this afternoon results of the post mortem would not be made public today and it may take several weeks for the cause of death to be determined.

A police spokeswoman said: "Results from post mortem examinations are not always conclusive and it may then take several more weeks for complete results to be available to provide a pathologist with the information required to identify any cause.

"Humberside Police continue to treat Mr Elliott’s death as unexplained.

"Officers will continue to make routine inquiries into the events leading up to the arrival of the deceased at hospital and his subsequent death which includes talking to friends, family, neighbours, colleagues and other associates who may be able to assist."

Mr Hockney's publicist Erica Bolton said Mr Elliott had been a "very important person" in his life and they had worked together for more than two years.

She said: "Like everybody else he is in a state of shock."

• David Hockney may be questioned as mystery surrounds death of assistant Dominic Elliott