A Thamesmead Tube driver has died the day before he was due to appear in court charged with being drunk at the helm.

Ian Comfort, 50, of Pettacre Close, reportedly passed away on Sunday.

He was set to appear at Harrow Crown Court yesterday for a preliminary hearing charged with one count of “working on the railway whilst unfit to carry out that work through drink or drugs”.

He was also to face a second charge of driving a train while intoxicated, thereby “endangering the safety of someone being conveyed in or on that railway”.

Comfort was relieved from duty on March 22 at Queensbury station on the Jubilee line after “concerns were raised about his conduct”, according to Transport for London.

British Transport Police officers were called to the station shortly after 3pm where Comfort was arrested.

He was suspended from duty before being charged.

The case has been adjourned until June 9 until a cause of death can be established.

Phil Hufton, LU’s Chief Operating Officer, added: “We are greatly saddened by the news of the death of our colleague. Our thoughts and condolences are with Ian’s friends and family, who we will provide with every possible support during this difficult time.”