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A much-loved Welshman who was found dead in a London pub faces a pauper’s funeral unless his next of kin can be found.

Meurig Gomer Wyn-Roberts, also known as Gomer Roberts, died last month aged 53, and tributes flowed in for the “gentle giant” who became a well known face around Bermondsey.

Gomer’s body was found above the Greyhound Pub in Peckham, but according to the Southwark News, police and coroners have been unable to identify his next of kin.

It is not known what part of Wales he is from, but the paper has put out an appeal to find any next of kin and prevent him having a pauper’s funeral.

'A gentle giant'

According to the London newspaper, his large frame and “sunny disposition” were instantly recognisable around the community, and he found local fame for being a “gentle giant”.

(Image: Southwark News)

Gomer, who moved to London around 20 years ago and lived above pubs across Southwark, loved cheese on toast and was known for calling everyone “sunshine”, as well as having worn nothing but a Welsh flag and a mankini to raise £1,000 for Help for Heroes.

Last month, tributes were paid to Gomer, a senior banksman (which means he directed cranes and large vehicles), whose charitable acts also included working as a bouncer at a pensioner’s party and playing Father Christmas for local children.

Kevin Stokes, a friend of Gomer’s, said: “There used to be an ill man called Peter suffering from cancer who was living above the same pub as Gomer, and Gomer always used to make him dinner.

"That is the kind of man he was. Very thoughtful and kind. He used to like jokes and had a big laugh.”

Pam Gorgan, another friend, said: “Gomer used to come to ours for Christmas dinner every year. He loved my bread sauce and would play with the children on the floor.

“Imagine that – a big man like Gomer playing on the floor with tiny toy cars.”

Coroners criticised

Close friends have criticised the Coroner’s Court for not giving any information about what will happen to his body.

(Image: Southwark News)

Friend Andy Gorgan told the Southwark News: “It’s frustrating. You want to put a man to rest and no one is coming forward with anything. The coroner and the police are not releasing any information.

“We just don’t know why they are holding back, we don’t even know if they’ve found the family. It is all wrong.

“You keep getting people asking whether there’s news or whether they’ve found anything and there’s nothing.

“If they can’t find the next of kin, they should let us have a go. The point is that all his friends want to put him to rest peacefully.”