Tony Nicklinson, who has locked-in sydrome, with wife Jane. Picture: SWNS

A former Kent rugby player with locked-in syndrome has died - just days after losing his High Court battle to lawfully end his own life.

Father-of-two Tony Nicklinson was paralysed from the neck down following a catastrophic stroke and wanted doctors to terminate his life.

The 58-year-old died at his home this morning after contracting pneumonia and refusing food.

David Davies, 79, who was secretary of Cranbrook Rugby Club when Mr Nicklinson was a player, said: "One can only feel relief tinged with sadness at his death.

"He was in an impossible position. His hopes had been dashed by the recent High Court decision, and he was left without anything else.

"I am happy to have known him as a friend. What Tony and his family must have gone through is quite unimaginable."

thank you for your support over the years. we would appreciate some privacy at this difficult time. love, jane, lauren and beth

— tonynicklinson (@tonynicklinson) august 22, 2012

Mr Nicklinson's lawyer Saimo Chahal said he had refused food and treatment after his condition deteriorated following the High Court ruling.

Police say they will not be investigating Mr Nicklinson's death, at about 10am.

A message sent from his Twitter account from his wife Jane and daughters Lauren and Beth said: "Before he died, he asked us to tweet: 'Goodbye world the time has come, I had some fun'."

Mr Nicklinson, who used to live in Cranbrook, launched a legal challenge to win the right to end his life with medical help at a time of his choosing.

But his right-to-die bid was thrown out by High Court judges last Thursday.

Judges said it would be illegal for a doctor to help him die and his only option would be to die from starvation.

Tony Nicklinson is pictured centre back in a 1980 Cranbrook rugby team shot

Gezz Higgins, who played rugby alongside Mr Nicklinson, said he was not surprised by his death.

The 70-year-old, of Park Lane, Cranbrook, said Mr Nicklinson - nicknamed Royals because his father was in the Royal Marines - was a "strong character".

Mr Higgins said: "He was a very strong charatcer and I don't know how he's died, but knowing Royals, I'm not surprised in the sense that having his wishes turned down by the judges that something dramatic has happened.

"We were good rugby pals - we both drank together before both of us were married. My wife and I went to his wedding in Dorset.

"I've been communicating by email with him so I know what his feelings are - his emails say he missed the days of playing at Cranbrook.

"He's always said he wished the doctors hadn't saved him after his stroke and should have let him take his natural course then - so he was determined from then.

"Because of his situation he didn't want to see anyone - some of the guys from Cranbrook wanted to visit him.

"It's not very dignified having strange people coming in cleaning up your private parts - who would want that for the rest of their life?"

Gezz Higgins, who played rugby with Tony Nicklinson in Cranbrook

Speaking after the High Court judgement, Mr Nicklinson's family said it was "terribly one-sided" and vowed to appeal.

The former Cranbrook rugby player - who was unable to speak and could only move his head and blink - described his life as "intolerable".

Mr Nicklinson's wife Jane had said earlier: "The only way to relieve Tony's suffering is to kill him. There's nothing else that can be done for him."

She said her husband did not want to die immediately, but was seeking a way out when the time came.

Mr Nicklinson had almost no muscle movement after suffering a stroke in 2005. But he had been able to communicate on Twitter using his eyelids.