The music tutor who nurtured the talents of the Arctic Monkeys lead singer Alex Turner and drummer Matt Helders has died aged 40.

Richard Tolson was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in February and died in Barnsley Hospice on Monday. He had remained at work throughout his illness.

Richard, known as Rich T, had been at Barnsley College for 18 years and taught music technology to the Arctics, whose careers took off shortly after they left the course.

He was the college's head of music and performing arts and had met wife, Sarah, while the pair were students at the college's former Electric Theatre.

Sarah said he was the most kind and caring father to son Ellis, 12 and daughter Lauryna, nine. The couple also looked after 22-year-old Lynsey, whose has been part of the family since her own parents died when she was 14.

Sarah commended her husband for his commitment to his job because he continued to work throughout his illness.

"He was in so much pain with it," she said at their Darton home.

"I was with him when he died  - he was holding my hand and had his head on my shoulder.

"I don't think it's quite sunk in with the children yet and I'm just trying to keep things together.

"Rich's nickname was Peter Pan, because he was the boy who would never grow up and I remember him saying to me 'see I really am Peter Pan now' because he'll never get the chance to grow old."