Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a New Malden radio host who died hours after his final show just over a week before Christmas.

Stephen Zetter, of Acacia Grove, was 61 when he suffered a fatal heart attack in his home on December 17 following his performance as the Fairy Godmother in Wandsworth Radio’s pantomime.

Paramedics worked on the former surveyor for more than an hour after they were called at 9pm that night but he tragically passed away.

His partner of 17 years Alison Zetter, 51, said: “He had all his family at the panto, all his kids and grandkids, [he was] absolutely in his element.

“Absolutely that was what he wanted, he was so desperate to do that this year.

“It was so unexpected.”

A Chelsea supporter since he was six years old, Mr Zetter was the eldest of six and lived in Wandsworth, including Waverton Road, for around 16 years before moving to New Malden in 2003.

He worked as a surveyor at Lambeth Council for more than two decades before retiring to work as a volunteer for Wandsworth Radio in 2015, where he helped present both its then-new sports show with Kai Chappell and Harry Fell as well as other music programmes.

Ms Zetter, a secondary school teacher, added: “We had known each other for years and it just sort of grew out of a real, deep friendship. He did stupid things that made you laugh. We didn’t wine and dine as normal people, we just had a love for each other and because we had been years for so long it just grew.

“Our kids loved each other, we were always round each other’s houses with the kids. It wasn’t a traditional courtship as it were. I had two kids, he had four kids, and we just took our time.

“He brought me out of myself and that is what he did to everyone. Through that, I got my degree and became a teacher.

“He always pushing people to do their best and he always believed in them. In the beginning he just supported me, we had lots of fun, [and] he just made you laugh when things were going tough.

“That is the one thing he would always do.”

Wandsworth Radio director Jason Rosam was with Mr Zetter that night before learning of the news the following day.

In a letter to show’s volunteers he said: “Steve was a huge character at the station and will be deeply missed.

“He went on to become an integral part of the sports team but moved on to present a variety of music shows which always began with the Chesney Hawkes track ‘The One and Only’.

“He thoroughly enjoyed being with us at Wandsworth Radio and supported the station in many ways including dressing up in fish nets, a blue wig, a tutu with his beloved Chelsea kit and make up yesterday for the pantomime.”

The funeral for Mr Zetter will be held at Putney Vale Cemetery on January 19 where he will be cremated.

Funeral donations have also been set up, to see the link click here.