THE grief-stricken family of a Newton Abbot father-of-five, who died after he was stabbed in his home, spoke lovingly of their 'popular' son today.

Committed Christians Rowland and Rosalind Dicken, of Manor Road, broke their silence to speak publicly for the first time about their sports-mad son Mark Dicken, pictured.

Mark, 38, who had recently become a grandfather, died after a stabbing incident at his Highweek Road home at about 1am last Thursday.

Mr Dicken said: "He was a kind-hearted person who was a friend to everyone.

"One of the last times we saw him alive, he was at our house nursing his 10-week-old grandson whom he absolutely adored."

Mark was born in Weston-super-Mare on April 10, 1970.

His father's insurance job meant the family moved around living near Tiverton, Bristol, West Buckland, Wellington and Bournemouth.

It was during his private school education that Mark flourished at sport.

Mr Dicken, who used to be a part-time church minister, said: "He was a great sportsman. He broke all school records for athletics. He was also a great rugby player.

"In the late 1970s when BMXing came to the forefront he became involved in that. He became one of the top ranking in the South West and went on to ride in the British finals in Derby in the early 1980s."

He later went to speedway training schools but his ambition was cut short when he shattered his left leg in a motorbike accident.

Mr Dicken said: "Emotionally, it was very difficult for him. He had so much potential. It ended everything he loved doing but he was a strong character and overcame it."

When his parents moved to Newton Abbot in 1988, Mark remained in Bournemouth for his final college year studying hotel management and catering before joining them.

He worked in hotels across South Devon before buying the Wheel Restaurant and Tea Rooms, Chudleigh, in the early 1990s until 1997.

The family have kept a record of customer letters praising Mark's skills as a chef. Mrs Dicken, 66, said: "He was brilliant. He used to have regular clientele who would go there for his Sunday roast."

Her husband added: "Everyone spoke highly of him — but he would not cook when he came home. He always liked his mum's cooking."

Mark married his first wife, Hayley, in February, 1992. They have four children together aged between 17 and 10.

Despite divorcing they remained on good terms. She said: "He was good fun and enjoyed life. He was a very good father."

Mr Dicken added: "No one had a bad word to say about him. He was very much a champion of the underdog. If he saw people in trouble he would always go out of his way to help them — probably too much so."

Mark had to quit work following a back injury but played pub games such as darts and pool. He managed the Newton Abbot Pool League and Moorland League.

He later married second wife, Vicki, from Minehead, and she had his fifth child.

Mr and Mrs Dicken, who have been married more than four decades, say their faith is helping them through the grieving process. A funeral date is yet to be set.

They are touched by how many people have sent their condolences.

A pool knockout tournament at the Greene Man pub in East Street was held in honour of Mark on Sunday and organisers donated £180 to his parents.

Mr Dicken said: "It was totally overwhelming and very emotional. The flowers and cards we have received has been unbelievable."