The parents of Nick Alexander, who died in the Paris attacks, today said "words cannot express the sadness we feel at the loss of our precious Nick" as they prepared to attend a memorial service in the city.
Barry and Sheelagh Alexander said they were thankful for the "outpouring of love from around the world" for their 36-year-old son, who was murdered in the Bataclan theatre massacre.
The merchandise seller was one of 89 people killed when gunmen stormed the building midway through a rock concert.
His parents said in statement: "Words cannot express the sadness we feel at the loss of our precious Nick.
"This is just the beginning of a long road where we will have to get used to the absence of his physical presence around us – a physical presence that we loved so much, that made us laugh, that we loved being with, and always held us close wherever he was.
"We will get through this with the love and strength of our beloved family, friends and colleagues, and the support of so many people we have never even met.
"The outpouring of love from around the world has been a great comfort to us and makes us even more proud to have had Nick as our son. We will love and miss him forever."
French president Francois Hollande is due to speak later at a memorial ceremony for up to 1,000 family members of those lost in November 13's attacks.