Gary Speed: Wales football manager 'did not have row with wife before death' - Telegraph.co.uk

"They were happily married and anyone who knows them will tell you that. This is why it's a mystery.

"We genuinely at the moment have no clue whatsoever what has caused it and I have been with the family all day."

He added: "Everybody is asking the same question and no one has an answer. We are all in shock."

He declined to discuss why Speed had apparently decided to take his own life. He denied Speed was suffering from depression.

His comments came as the BBC faced calls for Speed to be honoured at the Sports personality of the Year awards.

Fans posted messages on Twitter and Facebook urging the BBC to honour Speed at the ceremony on December 22.

Nominations for the Coach of the Year category closed on November 18 but fans are hopeful the BBC will make an exception for Speed.

There also remains the possibility that Speed will be honoured with one of the awards which do not require a voting panel, or a special award.

His family yesterday thanked the well-wishers who have sent messages of condolence and said they had been "overwhelmed" by the level of public support since the 42-year-old's death.

His widow issued a brief statement through a family friend.

Mr Evans emerged briefly from the family home in Huntington, Cheshire, to say: "Gary's family would sincerely like to thank all the people who have sent messages of condolence and tribute at what is a very difficult time.

"They have been overwhelmed by the support and it has really helped."

On the internet fans began a campaign for his contribution to sport to be recognised by the BBC.

Jon Tabbernor wrote on Twitter: "Gary Speed should be nominated for coach of the year for sports personality for the job he has done with Wales in the past year."

Amar Ahluwalia added: "Sports Personality of the Year. Given all the amazing tributes, it should go to Gary Speed. Honorary award at the very least."

Matty Bright wrote: "If [the BBC] don't do anything in his memory at Sports Personality of the Year I'll be very disappointed."

David Livick said: "BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award 2011 – Gary Speed. Just a thought."

George Cohen, the 1966 World Cup winner backed the calls. He said: "It would be a lovely gesture. It was such a tragic thing to happen to a young man with everything to live for and all the tributes that have been paid over the last couple of days show how highly he was regarded.

"I'm sure the family would appreciate it as well at what must be a terrible time for them. It seems the right thing to do – a fitting thing to do."

Speed apparently took his own life just hours after appearing on BBC show Football Focus. Mystery surrounds the reason behind his suspected suicide.

Gary McAllister, the former Scotland international and ex-Leeds United team-mate of Speed's, appeared alongside him in the studio.

Yesterday McAllister said: "There were no signs, nothing to suggest he was troubled. He looked well and things are going well for him at the moment. I could never have thought that 10-12 hours after I saw him I'd be getting that news. It's a nightmare."

McAllister, 46, disclosed he had spoken to Speed's father, Roger, adding: "It wasn't a case of going into detail, just to say the support from our part of the country is here.

"The family need space and need to do their own private grieving. He was a guy we all loved."

Police have announced that Speed's inquest would be opened on Wednesday at 3pm. It is believed that officers have filed a report to the coroner outlining the circumstances in which Speed was found dead.