Dan 'The Man' Pickering, 19, died peacefully in his sleep at his home at Daleside Gardens, Harrogate, in the early hours of last Wednesday. The cause of death is not yet known.

Dan's parents Sarah and Mike Pickering – who also have a daughter, Nina, 13, and a son, Robert, 16 – expressed their heartfelt feelings over their loss this week.

His mother Sarah said: "The sadness is not knowing what he would have done with his life. He just packed so much into the life he already had. He was a doer. He was very positive in his outlook. If something went wrong he put it down to experience and moved on. He tried not to dwell on things."

Father Mike added: "People would turn to him for advice. He would have long conversations trying to help people out. He was always there for his brother and sister."

Dan was a pupil at Pannal Primary and Harrogate Grammar before attending St Aidan's 6th form and Reading University, where he studied Meteorology.

Sarah said: "He had the best time ever at university. He met his girlfriend there and made a lot of very good friends."

Often lovingly referred to as 'Dan The Weatherman' by friends and family, Dan had a huge passion for the elements.

Sarah said: "He was fascinated by how things work, which is why I think he was so interested in how the weather was created."

Mike added: "When ever there was a thunderstorm coming he used to take his brother and run outside and they used to come back with big smiles on their faces, soaked to the bone but really happy.

"He would be always forecasting the weather for us and tell us 'this is a cold front, it will rain soon.'"

Dan worked part time behind the checkout at Sainbury's on Wetherby Road for three years, where he was highly thought of by customers and colleagues – even being picked out as an example of good customer service.

Mike said: "He could engage everybody in a pleasant conversation. People would go away saying how wonderful he was."

Dan was a keen sportsman and played for a number of clubs in the town including Harrogate Rugby Club Juniors, Harrogate Hornets Football Team and the Spa table tennis team, winning Division 3 and 4 in the Harrogate Table Tennis League.

He also liked cycling and outdoor pursuits, taking on the Three Peaks and hiking up to Almscliffe Crag with his brother.

Travel was another of Dan's passions and he had visited Honduras, France, New England, Spain and recently Greece with friends.

Friends played a key part in the popular student's life. He used to enjoy spending time with them around Harrogate.

Sarah said: "He learnt how to do 'the worm' dance move and used to entertain his friends on dancefloors."

Mike and Sarah described Dan as a very humorous person, who loved to play practical jokes and make people laugh.

Mike said: "Comedy was his thing.