London Evening Standard/London

A personal assistant and close friend of the renowned British artist David Hockney has died in hospital after falling ill at the painter’s home.

Dominic Elliott, 23, was rushed to hospital by a friend in a “serious condition” after being found unwell at the artist’s house in Bridlington, Yorkshire.

He was driven to Scarborough Hospital at around 6am on Sunday but died shortly afterwards.

Police say they are investigating the circumstances of his death but say there were no signs of violence and, at present, they are treating the death as “unexplained”.

There is evidence that the 23-year-old had been drinking but a post mortem will be held today.

Elliott, who lived locally, was employed by the 75-year-old artist as an assistant and is thought to have helped Hockney with his famous series of landscape paintings set in the surrounding countryside.

He had worked for Hockney for several years and had posed for the artist on more than one occasion. One portrait of him sitting in a chair was painted in 2008.

Hockney is understood to have been in Bridlington at the time of Elliott’s death though it is not clear if he was in the house at the time. He did not drive him to hospital.

A close friend of Hockney said the artist was very upset by the news. “He saw him every day. It is very distressing. He was very bright, he was one of David’s assistants and would help him when he was setting up exhibitions. He helped with the Royal Academy show last year. It is a tragedy.”

Friends of the 23-year-old, a keen rugby and hockey player, said they were “devastated” by his death.

Richard Girking, director of rugby at Bridlington Rugby Club, said: “He was a cracking lad — an absolute bundle of fun and energy. He was constantly smiling and was a joy to be around.

“When he was out, he was the life and soul of the party, a fun-loving guy who was larger than life and everyone enjoyed his company.

“He only started playing rugby a couple of years ago but he learnt so quickly that he was called up to the first team squad. He was eager to learn and he was a great sportsman. It’s an absolute tragedy.”

He said the 23-year-old’s father had died of a heart attack in his 40s.

Close family friend Leanne Nelson, who broke the news to Elliott’s best friend Chris Towland, said he was “a truly amazing person”.

Writing on Facebook, she said: “Life is so cruel. He can’t be gone — our hearts are with Chris Towland and his family. I feel so helpless and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life, telling Chris. He’s lost such a special person in his life — we are devastated.

“(It) feels like we’ve lost a son, a truly amazing person. We love Dominic Elliott.”

Other friends also expressed their sadness online.

Writing on Twitter, Jonathon Hodgson said: “Thoughts go out to Dom Elliot (sic), his family and close friends. Too young, too soon. Rest in peace.”

Humberside police said: “Police were contacted by Scarborough General Hospital shortly after 6am on Sunday morning after a Bridlington man had been taken to the hospital by a friend from an address in Bridlington in a serious condition. The 23-year-old man was sadly pronounced dead at hospital and the police notified.

“The circumstances of the man’s death are not clear and officers are currently undertaking enquiries to establish events leading to his death.  “There were no signs of violence and a post-mortem examination is due to take place today which is hoped may provide further information.”

Hockney is one of the most famous British artists of his generation and was celebrated at the Royal Academy of Arts last year with an exhibition of his large scale landscapes, called A Bigger Picture.

Most of the works were based on scenes in the countryside and hills near his home.