The murdered British soldier executed by two Islamist fanatics was tonight praised by his grieving family as 'a loving son, husband, father, brother and uncle who would do anything for anybody'.
Lee Rigby - a 25-year-old 'cheeky and humorous' serviceman described as a 'loving father' to his two-year-old son Jack - was identified as police guarded his home in Middleton, Greater Manchester.
His family tonight paid tribute to 'a loving son, husband, father, brother and uncle', adding that 'he always wanted to be in the Army, live life and enjoy himself'.
Drummer Rigby, a keen football fan who followed Manchester United FC, was just starting his Army career and had recently fought in Afghanistan with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
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Fallen hero: Father Lee Rigby, 25, from Manchester, was described as 'cheeky and humorous' in tributes today. He was executed by two suspected Islamic terrorists in Woolwich yesterday afternoon
But as he walked towards the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, south-east London, yesterday afternoon, he was run down by a car on the pavement and hacked to death in a shocking attack.
A statement from Drummer Rigby's family tonight said: 'Lee was lovely. He would do anything for anybody - he always looked after his sisters and always protected them.
'He took a "big brother" role with everyone. All he wanted to do from when he was a little boy was be in the Army. He wanted to live life and enjoy himself.
'His family meant everything to him. He was a loving son, husband, father, brother and uncle - and a friend to many. We ask that our privacy be respected at this difficult time.'
Career: Drummer Rigby, 25, known as 'Riggers', was known as a brave soldier
'All he wanted to do from when he was a little boy was be in the Army. He was a loving son, husband, father, brother and uncle - and a friend to many.'
Drummer Rigby was known to his comrades as 'Riggers', who said he was a 'popular' and 'very bubbly character'. He was 'one of the battalion's great characters, always smiling', friends said.
Tonight, U.S. President Barack Obama offered his support to Britain, saying: 'The United States stands resolute with the United Kingdom, our ally and friend, against violent extremism and terror.
'There can be absolutely no justification for such acts, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim, the police and security services responding to this horrific act and the communities they serve, and the British people.'
Announcing Drummer Rigby's death, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement: 'Drummer Lee Rigby, or ‘Riggers’ to his friends, was born in July 1987 in Crumpsall, Manchester.
'He joined the Army in 2006 and on successful completion of his infantry training course at Infantry Training Centre Catterick he was selected to be a member of the Corps of Drums and posted to 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
'His first posting was as a machine gunner in Cyprus where the Battalion was serving as the resident Infantry Battalion in Dhekelia.
'Having performed a plethora of tasks while in Cyprus, he returned to the UK in the early part of 2008 to Hounslow, west London. Here, Drummer Rigby stood proudly outside the Royal Palaces as part of the Battalion’s public duties commitment.
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