TT rider was the 'best dad in the world'

An Isle of Man TT competitor killed in crash during qualifying for the event was the "best dad in the world" and "always had a big smile on his face", his wife has said.

Daniel Ingham, from Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, was killed in the crash at Doran's Bend on the western section of the 37.7-mile (60km) Mountain Course on Wednesday evening.

Helayna Ingham said the 33-year-old was the "most lovely person" who would make sure he was at "any event that the kids were involved in".

She said she and their children – Joey, who is eight, and four-year-old Phoebe – were "lost without him".

"Dan was the best dad in the world with our children, and he would make sure he came to all the assemblies and any event that the kids were involved in," she said.

Although making his debut in the TT races when the crash happened, he was an experienced competitor on the Mountain Course, having competed in the Manx Grand Prix (MGP) since 2016.

After achieving several podium finishes, he secured victory in Senior MGP race in 2024.

His wife said road racing was something he loved and was keen to share with others: "He adored his racing and was happy to help anyone and everyone."

"He helped the Manx Grand Prix with newcomers and also just anyone who needed it."

But those visits to the island were not just for the racing, as Helayna explained: "We always came over early to have a holiday with the children and enjoy how beautiful it is.

"He loved the Isle of Man. Not just the racing part but the island."

His kindness in helping others extended to life away from racing too, she said, recalling an instance when the family were on their way to buy a Christmas tree and came across a woman whose motorbike had broken down at the side of the road.

"Dan swung the van around, got out and tried to help her," she said.

"It couldn't be fixed at the side of the road, so he loaded the bike and took her home, then we went back and got our Christmas tree.

"Dan was the most lovely person, he always had a big smile on his face," she added.

A fundraiser set up to help support the family following his death has reached more £4,000.

Helayna has encouraged people who knew her husband to keep sending their stories and photographs of him to the family to be included in a memory book for thier children.

She previously said the idea was suggested by their son as he and his sister were worried about "forgetting their daddy as they grow older".

The couple had met when they were 15 years old, she said, and had "been together ever since".

"Half my life I have spent making the most wonderful memories with him and our children and he will be loved and missed always," she added.

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