Medieval jousting enthusiast who told a friend he didn't want to live past 50 killed himself an hour after celebrating the landmark birthday 

• Paul Cooling was the 'life and soul of the party' he threw for his 50th birthday 
• But later that night he went home in Nottinghamshire and ended his life 
• Mr Cooling wrote down songs he wanted to be played at his funeral in a diary
• He also wrote a message on a blackboard saying he was 'sorry' to relatives 

A medieval jousting enthusiast who told a friend he did not want to live past 50 killed himself just an hour after celebrating the landmark birthday with family and friends, an inquest heard.

Paul Cooling was the 'life and soul' of the birthday party he organised at a pub in East Leake, Nottinghamshire.

But he later went home alone, wrote a list of songs to be played at his funeral and scrawled a message on a blackboard saying he was 'sorry' before taking a massive overdose.

Mr Cooling was a well-known face on the medieval re-enactment scene and travelled the world taking part in jousting tournaments.

He had suffered depression and had previously told a friend he did not want to live past 50, a coroner's court was told.

Despite his turmoil, the electrician, who was known as 'Wicksy', was a fun-loving man and a friend to many. More than 300 people turned up for his funeral. 

His brother Dave described him as 'the life and soul of the party'.

Paramedics were called to his home in Bradmore at midnight after his birthday on September 13, 2016. 

A post mortem examination revealed he died from a drug overdose. Mr Cooling had also been drinking alcohol.

Nottinghamshire's Assistant Coroner Amanda Cranny said Mr Cooling had written down the name of songs he wanted played at his funeral in a diary.

There was a message on a kitchen blackboard that said he was 'sorry' for what was about to happen.

The coroner said she was satisfied that calls to a friend, stating Mr Cooling was 'done', were not a 'cry for help'.

Recording a verdict of suicide, she said: 'Mr Cooling wanted his family to have a last happy memory, the memory of seeing him in good spirits on the night of his birthday and not what happened afterwards.

'None of us can know what went through his mind when he got home and was alone that night.'

Mr Cooling had been a member of the Knights of Nottingham jousting re-enactment group for 30 years. Fellow members paid their respects with a parade and knights on horseback at the funeral, held at Loughborough Crematorium last September.

Mr Cooling, who enjoyed cookery, travel and photography, played The Squire to the Black Knight, and it was his job to get the crowds booing.

The group was a familiar feature at the Robin Hood Pageant at Nottingham Castle, and also travelled to events in America and Belgium.

A message on the Knights of Nottingham Facebook page at the time of Mr Cooling's death said: 'His generosity knew no bounds in every manner and sense.

'He was our Ambassador and Mr Fix-It all rolled into one. Respected and loved by people we have met all around the world.

'We were extremely proud to have him as one of our Band of Brothers, and will miss him more than anyone can imagine. The world is a sadder place without his infectious chuckling laughter.'

Mr Cooling's father Mike, of East Leake, said: 'I'll be lucky to get 20 people at my funeral, he got 300. It was just like a football ground.'

Mike added: 'Because of his depression, he tried to make up for it by being brilliant to everybody else.

'He had lots of time for everybody, except for himself. That's typical of depressed people - they go out of their way to help people.'

His mother, Anne, said: 'He just enjoyed the camaraderie, all the razzmatazz. He was a fun-loving son. He was a bit of a rogue at times and had a tremendous laugh. He will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.'

The Cooling family asked for donations to the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a charity set up to prevent male suicide, and so far have raised more than £2,000.

Mr Cooling also leaves behind sister Julie Chapple and nieces Amy and Jenna.

• For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details