Richard Johnson: Liam was an all-round top man and liked by everybody

Leading jump jockeys Richard Johnson and Tom Scudamore paid tribute to "all-round top man" Liam Treadwell after the death of the Grand National-winning jockey.

Treadwell switched codes in 2004 to join Venetia Williams as a conditional jockey and shared the weighing room with Johnson for 15 years.

Johnson said: "I'm completely in shock really. It's very hard to put into words. He was a fantastic lad, liked by everybody. He was an all-round top man and great fun.

"He rode big-race winners. Everybody is in disbelief at what's happened. It's very sad after losing James Banks a few months ago.

“Some lads seem on top of the world, but behind the scenes it’s a very different story.

“My thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Tom Scudamore: 'Liam was a mate of mine and I will miss him.'Credit: Harry Trump (Getty Images)

Scudamore described himself as "sad and empty" after Treadwell's death and stressed the importance of the help available in the industry to those who are struggling.

Scudamore said: "I feel sad and empty. He was a mate of mine and I will miss him.

"Liam was the sort of fellow who never appreciated how talented and popular he was.

"He rode a National winner and a Cheltenham Festival winner yet he’d always play those achievements down.

"What we need to emphasise as an industry is that there is help out there, and it’s confidential through the PJA and IJF.

"It’s another very sad day."

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