A POPULAR Weymouth musician killed himself after a woman threatened to tell his wife about their affair, an inquest heard.

Tom Caulfield exchanged a series of messages with the woman before hanging himself from the loft space at the home he shared with his wife, Rachel, Dorset Coroner Sheriff Payne was told.

The Bournemouth inquest heard Mr Caulfield, aged 32, of Lymes Close, Wyke Regis, had been having an affair with the woman, named only as 'Amy', for around six months.

The relationship ended two weeks before his death on Easter Sunday this year but Amy contacted him that morning and told him she was going to tell Rachel, the coroner was told.

His body was discovered when friends and family members went to look for him when he was late for a gig on the afternoon of Sunday April 5.

Recording a verdict that he took his own life, Mr Payne said: “He was very happily married but we know that in the background for six months he had been carrying on a relationship with another woman.

“It had ceased some weeks prior to his death but she became upset and said she was going to tell Rachel. He was so concerned about what happened that he made this terrible decision.

“This is not a cry for help – it is a very positive act. He knew he was going to end his life.”

The inquest heard Mr Caulfield was excited because his band had been asked to play at the Isle of Wight Festival.

He had described his wedding day as the best day of his life just days before his death, the hearing heard.

Tom and Rachel were planning to buy their own home and start a family, said Mr Payne.

Heartfelt tributes were paid to Tom after he died and a memorial was set up on the harbourside by staff from the Rendezvous where Tom had been due to play on the day of his death as part of the Tea on the Quay music festival.

Hundreds of people attended Tom’s funeral, which was held at Weymouth Pavilion Theatre to accommodate the huge number of people.

He was a talented singer and musician who played the guitar, banjo and harmonica.

Tom was well known on the Dorset music scene and played in a number of bands including folk duo The Victorian Barbers.