The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has released this statement confirming the UK's interest in hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The statement:

"The Government is calling on UK cities interested in hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games to work up plans for how they would stage the event, culture secretary Karen Bradley announced today.

"The UK Government will work with interested cities and the relevant Commonwealth Games Associations on a detailed assessment of whether Britain can step in to host the event in 2022 after it was announced last month that Durban in South Africa can no longer hold the games.

"This will include looking at important factors such as the economic benefits the Games could deliver to the UK - and to the host city or cities - through international trade, investment and tourism opportunities, and how potential host cities could benefit as well as the necessary infrastructure and major event delivery experience that potential host cities have."

Aston Villa

Ugo Ehiogu played more than 200 games for Aston Villa, and won the 1994 and 1996 League Cup with them. 

Current manager and ex-Manchester United defender Steve Bruce, who faced Ehiogu as a player, paid tribute: "We are all shocked and devastated by the news – someone so young. Our thoughts are with his family.

"I played against him. Big Ron bought him for £45,000 - what a bargain. He was a great player."

Ian Fumagall: Such sad news about Ugo Ehiogu. Not Villa or Boro fans, me and my friend always used to sing his name. Legend!

Martyn Sansom: So sad about Ugo Ehiogu That bikey against Celtic - class act. Sad news.

Ross McFarlane: Ugo Ehiogus overhead kick for Rangers in the last min v Celtic was as unexpected as it was brilliant. RIP.

The Tottenham U23 coach posted this on 29 March.

Alastair Kirby: My grassroots coach used to chant, "Ugo Ugo..." to encourage me as a ten year old centre back. Loved him in our defence. 

Paul Wilson: RIP Ugo Ehiogu - always put his head in where it hurts for Middlesbrough FC. Formidable partnership with Southgate! 

Matthew Goddard: It's hard to see someone like this go, he is a great coach, that's why Tottenham have great young players. Thoughts to family.

BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, .

Former Aston Villa midfielder Andy Townsend, who played with Ugo Ehiogu in the victorious Villa side in the 1996 League Cup final: "I'm absolutely shocked. Very shocked at this news. I heard he had collapsed on the Spurs training ground. But I didn't expect to wake up to this news.

"Like all younger players it wasn’t easy for him at the start of his Villa career but in the end you saw that nobody was going to get the better of him. He was commading and formidable in the air. He was a player that every team would like to have at the back.

"I remember the 3-0 win over Leeds [in the League Cup final]. I looked at pictures at home this morning and Ugo is in them celebrating. 

"I've often wondered with professional sportsmen... you're conditioned for so long, but no doubt players have sometimes suffered when they pack up. But in Ugo's case he was on the training pitch at Tottenham [as U23s coach]. He would have stayed active. When I last saw him he was a picture of health."