A ROCK ’n’ roll guitarist stabbed to death in his Spanish apartment was “living the dream” on the sun-drenched Costa del Sol, his old band leader has said.

Jeff Morland, lead singer with Barkin’ Billy and the Scrapyard Dogs, said the horrific death of David Cornell, at the Altavista complex, in Torremuelle, was “a real tragedy”.

He said: “It’s a shock to all the lads in the band. It’s a real tragedy because he always had the ambition to live in Spain. After going out there, he was living the dream.”

Mr Cornell, a former car salesman, helped found the rock ’n’ roll and rhythm and blues outfit, but quit about eight years ago.

Mr Morland said: “He helped found the band for a charity gig for the British Heart Foundation and it just kept going. He was just a straightforward guy.”

Mr Cornell, 57, was found lying naked in a pool of blood on his hallway floor in the early hours of Monday morning.

His wife, Michelle Cornell, 48, was arrested on suspicion of his murder and, having appeared before a local court, is in a Spanish jail.

The couple, both born and raised in Sunderland, had been married for 18 years and lived for many years in Front Street, Pity Me, Durham.

They moved to Torremuelle in April last year. It was the second time in a decade Mr Cornell had emigrated to Spain, but he had recently decided to sell up and return to the North-East.

In a statement to the Spanish authorities, Mrs Cornell said she had rowed with her husband after telling him she wanted a divorce, pulled off her wedding ring and thrown it onto the floor.

She said Mr Cornell became violent and tried to strangle her, so she grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed him. Police found the knife in the kitchen sink. A medical examination revealed bruises on Mrs Cornell’s arms, legs and stomach.

Neighbours claim the couple argued frequently. A Durham Police spokeswoman said it was one of several UK forces to have been contacted by the Spanish authorities regarding the couple and would offer full assistance.