A man who mixed with the stars and ran nightclubs for decades died of a massive stroke as he cycled in the Dales.

Dennis Peace was a well known figure in Leeds and Manchester where he ran clubs. He introduced Roy Orbison to his second wife, and had been friends with Jimmy Savile for more than 70 years.

But as the tributes began to pour in it has been revealed his funeral could be delayed for weeks as attempts are made to trace any family members.

Leeds hairdresser Howard Silverman, a close friend for more than half-a-century, said: “He was never married and he didn’t have a single member of family left really. The funeral hasn’t been yet because the coroner says what they have to do by law is to advertise in the paper to see if any long-lost relatives come forward.

“I have been a friend of his for 50 years and I don’t know of any relatives.”

Mr Peace, who lived in Bramhope, was 78 when he fell from his bike as he cycled on the B6160 Bolton Abbey to Burnsall road two weeks ago. He died in the Leeds General Infirmary the following day.

Mr Silverman said: “We thought at first he had had an accident, but by talking to the coroner we found out he was cycling and had had a massive stroke. That’s what killed him.”

He said his friend was a very fit man, and a lifelong cyclist, who used to joke when his time was up he wanted to simply fall off his bike in the Dales.

“It is incredible he got what he wanted,” he said.

Mr Peace, who was born in Armley, made a name for himself running nightclubs. When Jimmy Savile was managing the Mecca dance hall in County Arcade, Leeds, he recognised a “special quality” in Mr Peace and made him his assistant manager. He went on to became manager at the pioneer discotheque, In Time, in the Merrion Centre, where he introduced Roy Orbison to one of the waitresses, later to become the star’s wife.

He also managed Bob Barclay’s Studio 20, and the Whisky A Go Go club in Manchester.

Sir Jimmy was among those paying tribute to Mr Peace: “I knew Dennis for 70 years, we cycled together and rode in many races. We also ran about ten full and half marathons together.

“He never did a wrong thing to a living soul. He was a ‘good man’ and could have been a lot better off, but he was too soft for his own good. Dennis was very popular with the ladies, he invented charisma.

“It’s very strange but only recently we were up on the same road where it happened and he said if he had to die he could not think of a better place.”

Mr Silverman said: “He ran nightclubs for years and years and knew so many people.”

He said his popularity was apparent just three days before his death when he attended a 60s reunion night.

“We went along and it was like his night,” he said. “Everyone knew him from the nightclub years and he was really treated like royalty. He was a guy who had a lot of charisma.”