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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11414736


The former Great Britain rugby league player Terry Newton has been found dead at a house in Greater Manchester.

The 31-year-old is understood to have been found hanged at a house in Orrell, Wigan, on Sunday afternoon.

In February, the hooker was given a two-year suspension by the UK Anti-Doping Agency after testing positive for a human growth hormone (HGH).

The former Leeds, Wigan and Bradford player then had his playing contract cancelled by Wakefield.

"Shortly after 2pm on Sunday 26 September 2010, police were called to a house on Harswell Close in Orrell, Wigan, following a report of concern for welfare," a Greater Manchester Police spokesman said.

"Officers went to the address and found the body of a 31-year-old man.

"Inquiries have been launched, but there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death."

Hopes of return
His death follows that of his younger sister, Leanne, who died of pneumonia last year.

Newton, a father-of-two, tested positive for the banned substance on 24 November 2009, after being asked to provide a blood sample during pre-season training with Wakefield.

He was believed to be one of the first athletes in the world to test positive for HGH.

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We are deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Terry's untimely death”

Richard Lewis
RFL chairman
In June, he spoke to BBC Radio 5 live about his hopes of returning to the game after his ban, which he hoped to get reduced.

"Initially it didn't bother me that I wasn't playing rugby but now watching games it is starting to sink in," he said.

"I've made one of the biggest mistakes of my life and I know it is something I will regret for the rest of my life."

Following the ban, he began running a pub in Wigan with his father-in-law.

Newton made 15 international appearances for Great Britain in a career spanning all 15 seasons of the Super League.

The Rugby Football League (RFL) has issued a statement expressing its sadness at Newton's death.

"We are deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Terry's untimely death," RFL chairman Richard Lewis said.

"This is a personal tragedy and our thoughts are with Terry's partner, his children and his family at this terrible time."

Tributes have already started appearing on a page set up in his memory on the social networking website, Facebook.

I am privileged to have been able to have seen Terry play rugby both for wigan and against wigan,ok he wasnt the cleanest of players but he was one of those players who you would love on your team and not against you,he worked so hard

it was such a shame that he went down the root that he did its so sad that he had to resort to ending his own life i thought he was back on track,everyone who had been in his pub said he was happy (inc sat night)

and to those sickos who are ruining his tribute paged with sick comments spare a thought for his wife and 2 daughters and his family who are now greaving another loss so soon after his sister died

Love him or hate him there is no need to speak of him like they are

There will be a minutes silence on saturday i hope its respected as current members of both sides have played with him and called him a friend

Rest in peace Terry enjoy a game with the lads that have also passed

and to the idiots who ruined his minutes silence yesterday i hope you are ashamed oif yourselfs