The funeral takes place today of a Sussex chef who cooked for the rich and famous on a Caribbean paradise island.

Michael Bull, 30, died in a car crash while returning home from work at the exclusive Lone Star Hotel and Restaurant in Barbados. His car careered off the road into a concrete wall.

His father today paid tribute to his son, who was raised in Sussex and went on to make friends from across the world.

Chris Bull, of Boundary Road, Lancing, said: "We've heard from people from Australia, Dubai, Spain, California, as well as all over this country. You don't realise how many lives your children touch. We are very proud of him."

Lone Star, ranked the 25th best restaurant in the world by critic Michael Winner, has played host to numerous celebrities including Sir Cliff Richard, Ron Atkinson, Ian Botham, Colin Montgomery, Kevin Keegan, John Cleese, Kylie Minogue and The Spice Girls as well as Princess Caroline and Prince Albert of Monaco.

Despite rubbing shoulders with such famous names, Michael was never star-struck.

His father said: "He had quite an irreverent attitude towards that sort of thing. He was very natural. He was always considerate of other people, was thoughtful and very sentimental. That's why he had so many friends."

Michael was born at Southlands Hospital in August 1972 and attended Boundstone Nursery School, Freshbrook First School and Boundstone Community College.

After leaving school, he began training as a chef at Northbrook College between 1988 and 1990. He then worked in local establishments such as SmithKline Beecham and St Mary's Care Home, where he was head of catering and also taught cookery to classes of mentally-handicapped adults.

When he moved to the London area his career took off and he added numerous hotel and restaurant names to his CV, including Northwick Park Hotel, Irvings Restaurant and the Langham Hilton in Portland Place.

He then worked at Dell Ugo's in Soho and Prego, where his work lead to him landing a three-year contract in Barbados. He lived at Mount Stanfast, about ten miles from the island's capital Bridgetown.

Chris, who is divorced from Michael's mum Victoria Saunders, who still lives in Lancing and teaches at Sompting Nursery School, said: "We flew out to Barbados last year to visit him. We stayed at his bungalow and he drove us around. It was an idyllic place to have a job."

While they enjoyed a break together, stars such as comedians Mel Smith and Jasper Carrot were staying at the hotel.

Michael was also a keen outdoors man.

He joined the Territorial Army in Brighton in 1992 and served in Canada, Gibraltar and throughout the UK. He enjoyed camping, hiking and was a keen scuba diver.

He had a brother, Andy, 28, who lives in Brighton, a sister, Donna, 16, and a step-sister, Stacey Saunders, 12, who both live in Lancing.

After the crash last month, which is being investigated, his father flew out to the Caribbean to bring his son's body home.

Friends and colleagues are all welcome to Michael's funeral, which is being held at Worthing Crematorium at 4pm today.

Donations can also be sent to Cancer Research UK through the Co-operative Funeral Service at 34 South Street, Lancing.