Talented drummer James Candy, who played and taught in and around Bristol, was killed in a car crash on his way to an interview for his dream job in a West End musical.

Mr Candy, 36, died when the Porsche 911 in which he was travelling hit a Peugeot van head on.

He was on his way to discuss deputising as an orchestral drummer in Evita, something he had always dreamed of doing.

Friends and family praised the popular musician.

His mother, Liz Candy, who lives in Backwell, North Somerset, said: "He had a wonderful wit, he was just a gentleman and would help anybody out.

"He always wanted to be a drummer. He had a very bright career ahead of him. He'd gone to meet the man to take over for one night in Evita, but unfortunately he was killed in the process.

"We can't explain how it's affected us. We'll never get over it."

Hundreds of mourners are expected to attend Mr Candy's funeral in St Andrew's Church, Backwell, at 2.30pm on Monday.

Friends said Mr Candy, who had a flat in Portishead, lived life to the full, teaching children at schools across Bristol to play drums. He taught himself to play when he was 16.

One online tribute from a seven-year-old pupil read: "I will continue playing the drums but my lessons will never be the same and no one could ever replace him."

Mr Candy – whose favourite drummers were Vinnie Colaiuta, who played with Frank Zappa, Sting and Herbie Hancock, and Carlos Vega, who played with James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Randy Newman – played in shows in Bristol's Hippodrome and at bigger gigs, such as the Radio One Roadshow in Swindon with Girls Aloud and Blue.

Last month he was part of the line-up for the Peter Pan pantomime in the Playhouse Theatre, Weston-super-Mare.

Best friend and fellow drummer Sean Suleman said Mr Candy befriended TV presenter and panto star Timmy Mallett days before the crash. He said: "He made friends with these stars just like that because he was so likeable.

"Barry from EastEnders gave him a Christmas card once."

Another friend, James Hester from Bristol, said: "Alongside playing the local pantomimes, shows and teaching at local schools which he loved so much, he was really getting into the big game, somewhere that not many people get to.

"James never took for granted what he did and relished the opportunities that he worked so hard to create."

Mr Suleman, 35, said Mr Candy was about to be offered the chance to play a one-off gig in Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, his favourite venue, which he used to visit with his father, Bruce.

"It's just so tragic that he was killed just as he was about to get his dream gig," he said.

A 26-year-old man, thought to be the driver of the Porsche, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following the crash in Didcot, Oxfordshire, on December 18. He has been bailed until February 6.