A popular young Nando's manager found dead in bed after sending his girlfriend a goodnight text

Joshua Campbell, 29, worked as a manager at a Nando's restaurant in Stafford and Stoke on Trent.

Josh, affectionately known as 'Scouse' to his friends, was found dead in his bed by his mum after he failed to text back his girlfriend. The last time he spoke to his partner of eight years, Katie Manning was at around 1am.

Katie raised the alarm to mum Nat Campbell, who went to check on her 29-year-old son, but as soon as she opened his door, she knew he was gone.

Mum Nat told Stoke-on-Trent Live: "I'd been up for a few hours and Katie messaged me to ask if he was alright. We thought he was just asleep."

"He wasn’t snoring. I knew when I walked into the room that he was gone. The rest of the day was just a blur, there were ambulances here and all sorts."

Since he died on Saturday February 17, Joshua's loved ones have paid tribute to him on a GoFundMe page. Joshua's friend, Austin Seadon, set up the fundraiser page to support his grieving family which can be found here, Fundraiser by Austin Seadon : Joshua Campbell (gofundme.com) 

So far £6,875 has been raised with over 285 donations received from family, friends and those who knew him.

 "Josh was immensely loved by every person he met, he was the kindest and most thoughtful friend anyone could wish for and he will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him", Nat added.

"This has been a huge shock for us all. The money raised is to make sure that this awful and heart breaking time is made that little bit easier for his loved ones."

Joshua was originally from Liverpool and he attended school in Walton before moving to Bentilee, Stoke on Trent, aged 11. After finishing his education at Berry Hill High School, the keen fan of Liverpool FC, got a job at HS Leisure at Alton Towers. In 2014, he joined Nando's in The Hive, Hanley, and worked his way through the ranks before becoming a popular manager.

As well as The Hive, Joshua worked at Nando's in Etruria Mills Stoke, his last job was at Nando's, on Riverside Waterfront in Bridge Street Stafford.

Joshua leaves behind his mum and stepdad Ste Ruffell and two brothers, Dean, 23 and 20-year-old Tyler.

A celebration of Josh's life will take place at Carmountside Crematorium, Leek Road, Milton Stoke-on-Trent ST2 7AB on Wednesday 6th March 2024 at 3pm. Friends wishing to attend are asked to please meet at the crematorium. 

Flowers are welcome, or donations if preferred, they would be gratefully accepted for Standing Tall Together CIC, a caring Community organisation, based in Bentilee, to provide subsidised food and household essentials to refill local hubs. Please send to C/O the funeral director Haydn Heath, TUDOR-DAVIES, Independent Family Funeral Services, The Beeches, 142 Waterloo Road, Burslem, Stoke on Trent. Telephone. 01782 811411 www.tudor-davies.co.uk