BIKERS from across Hertfordshire are set to stop traffic in Bushey and Watford in tribute to an “incredibly popular” friend and father-of-three.

Charles Edgar Knee, known as “Eddie” in the biking community he was a key part of, died suddenly on holiday in Turkey earlier this month – shocking the dozens of people who relied on the care and comfort of the “gentle giant”.

The 6ft 4in taxi driver, of Cotswold Avenue, Bushey, was instantly recognisable to many in the community due partly to his “huge” size and prosthetic leg but mostly for his humour, kindness and “wonderful stories”.

Born in Wales, Eddie moved to live in Zimbabwe and South Africa when he was a young child, places which offered him plenty of space to pursue his life-long motorcycle hobby and develop an encyclopaedic knowledge of bikes.

He later lived in Borehamwood before settling in Bushey and travelling around countless pubs, places and motorcycle clubs including the Three Compasses pub in Patchetts Green and Busy Bee Motorcycle Club in London Colney.

Fellow biker Phil “Flipper” Angell, of Ash Hill Close, Bushey, said: “He struck a chord with me. He did that to a lot of people.

“He didn’t actually belong to any biking group, he just seemed to always be there. If there was something going on he turned up independently. People all knew who he was.

“He loved biking and used to just travel up to Scotland on a whim.

“He was a good man. He was always talking to you and never shied away from anyone.”

Eddie’s partner, Tina Vipond, said the 54-year-old was a “lovely man” and a great father to his children Llestyn, Sharon and Rian.

The RAF Northolt employee, of Horsleys, Maple Cross, said: “If you ask anyone: ‘Do you know big Eddie with the one leg?’ They all say ‘yeah he was a really nice guy’.

“He was absolutely brilliant with children and had so much time for them.

“He was a calm and gentle guy even though he was huge.”

While working for Ambassador Cars of Bushey, in High Street, Eddie made many further friends, the office already being lined with tribute cards from customers and colleagues.

Office manager Angie Green, of Frankland Road, Croxley Green, said: “It has been such a shock. He was a really nice guy.”

On Friday, October 31, a funeral procession will be made up of bikers led by a Suzuki Hayabusa hearse, the bike Eddie had “always wanted”.

His own signature bike, a red 1100 Kawasaki will follow the hearse, ridden by Eddie’s son Llestyn.

The event, open to everyone who knew Eddie, will leave his Cotswold Avenue house at 1.30pm and travel to West Herts Crematorium, High Elms Lane, Garston, for a service at 2.20pm.