Grandparents of David Hockney assistant Dominic Elliott say he was 'at party' before death

THE FAMILY OF David Hockney's assistant and friend Dominic Elliott has spoken of the circumstances in the run-up to his death.

Mr Elliott, 23, died at Scarborough General Hospital on Sunday morning.

Mr Elliott's grandfather Walter Elliott, 83, said he believed he had been at a party.

He said: "We don't know what happened but the suspicion is he had too much to drink.

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"He didn't live with him but did stay at his house quite often.

"I think David looked upon him as a son. It was like a father-son relationship.

"David even bought him a car once but Dominic actually wrote it off in a bad accident and was lucky to survive."

He was taken there by a friend after falling seriously ill at the world-renowned painter's home in Bridlington.

Humberside Police say the circumstances of his death are "unclear" and investigations are continuing.

Officers said there were no signs of violence.