Tributes have been paid to a Beccles DJ and producer, described by his family as 'amazing, funny and talented.'

Eastern Daily Press: Neil Aldred - DJ Dominator - behind the decks. Picture: Courtesy of Neil's family.Neil Aldred - DJ Dominator - behind the decks. Picture: Courtesy of Neil's family. (Image: Archant)

Neil Aldred was known across the world for his musical talents, and died of cancer on June 8 after being diagnosed just a few weeks before.

Known to most as DJ Dominator, the 33-year-old had been a driving force in the drum and bass industry, securing his first label signing in his late teens.

He lived in Worlingham with his fiancée Sarah Bowles, son Archie, two, and step-son Josh, eight.

Eastern Daily Press: Neil Aldred with his sisters Caroline Walsh and Lindsay Aldred. Picture: Courtesy of Neil's family.Neil Aldred with his sisters Caroline Walsh and Lindsay Aldred. Picture: Courtesy of Neil's family. (Image: Archant)

His family said they were in awe of his passion for music.

'He was so driven, but so humble too,' said Sarah, 29.

'I just adored him. He was everything you would want in a partner. He was my soulmate and I was very lucky to be able to have that time with him.'

Eastern Daily Press: Neil Aldred with his fiancee Sarah Bowles, son Archie and step-son Josh. Picture: Courtesy of Neil's family.Neil Aldred with his fiancee Sarah Bowles, son Archie and step-son Josh. Picture: Courtesy of Neil's family. (Image: Archant)

Neil developed a love for music early in life, and started playing the drums at around age six.

In middle school, he formed his own band KWA (Kids with Attitude), and by his teens he was into garage and then drum and bass music.

His talent, which would see him go on to play all over the world and secure signings with prestigious music labels, came to light after he bought his first set of DJ decks aged 15.

Eastern Daily Press: Neil Aldred on his drum kit. Picture: Courtesy of Neil's family.Neil Aldred on his drum kit. Picture: Courtesy of Neil's family. (Image: Archant)

His mum Jula Janney said: 'From a very early age I noticed he had this rhythm and love for music, so we got him drum lessons.

'He started off on the computer and spent hours in his bedroom teaching himself the skills to make his special sound. He was also really keen to mentor young people interested in music and took them under his wing to have that skill and love it as he did.

'He had the most amazing smile and he was always happy.'

Eastern Daily Press: Neil Aldred with his dad Brendan. Picture: Courtesy of Neil's family.Neil Aldred with his dad Brendan. Picture: Courtesy of Neil's family. (Image: Archant)

Neil studied music at Lowestoft College, and started putting on his own nights at Bluenotes and Corton Hut in Lowestoft, known as Distortion nights - a name he would later use to launch his own record label.

He was originally spotted by MC Fatman D, and solidified his place as a top tier name in the drum and bass industry with productions for Biological Beats, Low Down Deep Recordings, TNA (The New Age) and more.

His dreams of launching his own D-Stortion Records label became a reality last year, and some of the music he was working on will now be released by his family.

Eastern Daily Press: Neil Aldred as a boy with his mum Jula Janney. Picture: Courtesy of Neil's family.Neil Aldred as a boy with his mum Jula Janney. Picture: Courtesy of Neil's family. (Image: Archant)

Neil travelled all over the UK with his music and also played at Paris, Belgium, Australia, Austria and Germany. He would do several shows a night most weekends, and during the week worked at Micropress Printers in Reydon.

His sisters Caroline Walsh and Lindsay Aldred said he was the 'jam in their sandwich' and the 'king of banter'. They said: 'He just loved playing to an audience, the whole atmosphere and getting people feeling the music.'

Lindsay launched a JustGiving page shortly after he was diagnosed, with more than £11,500 already donated. It was originally set up to pay for treatment, but will now be used to give him the best send off possible.

Neil's dad Brendan said they have been overwhelmed by the messages of support sent from friends locally, around the world and his drum and bass family. Tributes have also flooded in on the Dominator/Neil Aldred memorial page on Facebook.

A celebration of his life is being held at Ringsfield Church on July 5 at 11am. His family will then move on to the crematorium, with friends invited to Ringsfield Village Hall afterwards.

Donations in his memory will be split between his family and Beccles Community Arts. The group is chaired by his mum and every year stages the Harvest Moon Music Festival at Beccles Quay, with Neil performing at the first ever event 10 years ago.

A rave is also being organised at The 02 in London in September in his memory.

To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Dominator