TRIBUTES have been paid to a businessman who died after a holiday accident at his Spanish hotel.

Gordon Taylor, who ran G Taylor Plumbing and Heating, had just arrived in Malaga with his wife, Elizabeth, on October 30 when he slipped on wet floor tiles.

The 49-year-old, of Leazes Lane, St Helen Auckland, County Durham, suffered head injuries and died on Friday, November 19.

The body of the much-loved grandfather was flown back to the UK on Thursday and his family remain in shock at the tragedy.

Mrs Taylor, also 49, said: “Gordon was not only my husband but my best friend and soulmate.

“Words can’t describe how much I will miss him. We did everything together. I am devastated.

“I will miss the practical jokes he played on everyone, the laughter we had together and the memories we shared.”

He leaves behind daughters Lauren, 19, and Zoe, 23, son Greg, 15, his mother Laura, in her 70s, and granddaughter Sienna, six months.

Zoe said: “Men like my dad are one in a billion. I can’t believe he has gone.

“I can’t tell you in words how much I will miss him. It was not his time.”

Lauren and Greg said: “He was the best dad and granddad anyone could ask for.

“We can’t believe he has gone in this tragic way.

“We loved him so much. It’s unreal how much he loved his granddaughter and will never see her grow up.”

Philip Maddison, who worked with Mr Taylor, thought of him as a brother.

He said: “When we first heard what had happened to Gordon, we believed he would recover from this accident.

“Then on the Sunday before Gordon died, Elizabeth phoned to say he wasn’t going to recover and wouldn’t be coming home. It was a devastating blow.

“He will be part of our lives forever.”

Mrs Taylor’s cousin, Lynn Quinn, was in Malaga on holiday with the couple. She said: “He was the life and soul of everywhere that he went.

“We are absolutely gutted. It is a nightmare. We still can’t believe it is true.

“It has been so tragic – a simple thing like slipping on wet tiles. You never think six of you will go on holiday and only five of you will come back. It is horrible.”

A spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We can confirm the death of a British National on Friday, November 19, in Malaga, Spain.

“Consular assistance has been offered to his family.”

A coroner has been informed and an inquest into Mr Taylor’s death may be held.

The family are in the process of organising a funeral.