Nick Alexander, the merchandise manager for Eagles of Death Metal, has been named as the first Briton confirmed dead in the Paris terror attacks. At least 129 people are reported dead following the attacks, which took place in different venues across the French capital on Friday night.

Eagles of Death MetalNick Alexander, the merchandise manager for Eagles of Death Metal, has been named as the first Briton confirmed dead in the Paris terror attacks.

In a statement Mr Alexander’s family said: "It is with huge sorrow that we can confirm that our beloved Nick lost his life at the Bataclan last night. Nick was not just our brother, son and uncle, he was everyone's best friend - generous, funny and fiercely loyal.”

"Nick died doing the job he loved and we take great comfort in knowing how much he was cherished by his friends around the world. Thank you for your thoughts and respect for our family at this difficult time. Peace and light."

Mr Alexander was shot when the Bataclan music venue was stormed by terrorists during a show by American rock band Eagles of Death Metal. Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Alexander’s friend Helen Wilson described how she had tried to keep him alive as they lay on the ground at the Bataclan.

“Nick was shot in front of me.” Miss Wilson said. “We heard a couple of noises outside and people started running into the club. We didn’t know what was going on. Then maybe five, six guys came in with machine guns and shotguns and just started shooting people. It was mayhem.”

“When anyone started running they would shoot them down. So we got down on the floor. I was afraid whenever I heard a step behind me... they machine-gunned everybody. Nick was in front of me when we were lying on the ground and somebody moved and they just turned round and started shooting us.”

“His back was to me and I couldn’t see what happened and I tried to keep him talking and then I tried to give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and they [the gunmen] were just sort of in the shadows and they would shoot if anyone said anything."

“Then he couldn’t breathe any more and I held him in my arms and told him I loved him. He was the love of my life.” Miss Wilson was shot in both thighs and was taken to Saint-Antoine hospital in Paris, after being bandaged and receiving a blood transfusion.

Mr Alexander had also worked for bands including Fall Out Boy and Sum 41. Writing on twitter Fall Out Boy guitarist Joe Trohman paid tribute to the 36-year old: "Just found out Nick Alexander was one of the people murdered last night in Paris. Great guy. I'm horrified.” A GoFundMe page has now been set up in memory of Mr Alexander, it has so far raised more than $41,074. The page says the funds will be donated to his family.