A DJ from Middlesbrough who was popular in clubbing circles in Teesside in the 1990s has been found dead in mysterious circumstances in Lebanon.

Police in the Middle Eastern country, which borders Syria, are investigating the suspected murder of Lee Harrison after his death was initially believed to be suicide.

The 50-year-old father-of-three, originally from North Ormesby, is fondly remembered on Teesside as the resident MC at Middlesbrough nightclubs Havana and the Arena in the 1990s, where he was known as MC Lee Harrison, or Hooligan X.

Friends said he was well-liked, and a loving family man who had three children, including a toddler. Most recently he was believed to be living in the south of England with his wife and youngest child.

He was found last Wednesday at a house in eastern Lebanon, in a town largely under control of the Shia militant group Hizbollah. Foreign nationals had been advised to avoid all but necessary travel in that part of Lebanon after a spate of kidnappings.

The purpose of his visit was unknown but reports suggested he had been there for ten days and visited a friend in a town close to where he was found dead.

His family are understood to be working with the British Consulate to try to get Mr Harrison's body brought back to Teesside as soon as possible.

He had not lived in Teesside since he pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2004, part of a group of men accused of killing Kalvant Singh in 2001, and was jailed for nine years.

Since finishing his sentence he is understood to have remarried, moved south and settled with his second wife.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We are providing consular assistance to the family of a British national who has died in Lebanon, and will remain in contact with local authorities.”

Cleveland Police said they had no involvement and could not confirm any details.

Tributes were paid on the internet yesterday, with one friend saying: "I cannot believe we lost yet another great lad. He meant a lot to a lot of people not just in doggy (North Ormesby)/Middlesbrough but around the UK.

"Thank you for the memories from the Boro frontline days to raving in Salou."

Another said: “Lived the high life but missed his Doggy life. Not a saint but had more friends than enemies.”