A POPULAR Waterfoot taxi driver has died sudden at his home aged just 35.

Father-of-five Shabaz Rashid, known to his family, friends and minibus customers as ‘Big Baba’, drove home from work on Friday evening after suffering from pains in his arm.

Despite getting home in the early hours he woke up his wife and children, hugged and kissed them all before laying down on his bed and losing consciousness.

An ambulance was called but the taxi driver died from a suspected heart attack.

Mr Rashid’s boss Royal Taxis owner, Ahroon Razaq, said: “Big Baba was a big bloke with a big heart.

"He had been working on Friday night and complained slightly of pains in his arm.

“He must of known it was his time as when he got home he woke up his wife and children, kissed them all, then lay back on his bed smiling before slipping away.

“He had driven the minibus for us for more than 12 years. Everybody knew him, even the local children.

"He was a cheeky chappy that everyone got on with.

“Despite not living in Rossendale he was very well known. Customers would ask for him by name.

“All the lads here will miss he loads, he was such a big personality.

"At least he died with his family around him and with a smile on his face.

“Local business owners and customers have been ringing me asking for the funeral details so they can attend which shows how much he was loved.”

Mr Rashid lived in Keighley with his wife and five children, whose ages range between three and 15-years-old.

His funeral took place in Keighley last night.