Fish tells of heartbreak after Hibs-mad dad dies after cup win

VETERAN rock star Fish has spoken of his heartbreak after his Hibs-mad dad passed away just days after Saturday's triumph.
Pop star Fish's father has died. Picture: contributedPop star Fish's father has died. Picture: contributed
Pop star Fish's father has died. Picture: contributed

The former Marillion frontman, real name Derek Dick, revealed his elderly father Robert died on Monday – after seeing the boys in green lift the Scottish Cup for the first time in 114 years.

The 87-year-old had been diagnosed with an aggressive bladder cancer two months ago, but managed to watch footage from the game on an iPad despite being seriously ill in hospital.

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In an emotional Facebook tribute, Fish – who admitted to crying at the end of the match – described his last moments with the man he described as “a rock to me”. He wrote: “He said he was glad to have seen us win the cup in his lifetime.

“He was in great spirits but as we held each others hands I think we both knew we were saying final goodbyes.

“Next morning, shortly after phoning my mother, he collapsed in the ward while performing a routine physio and died shortly after – a pulmonary embolism the cause of death. He died painlessly and in all honesty we were all grateful that he passed peacefully.”

The musician brought up in Glebe Street in Dalkeith and who now lives in Haddington, paid tribute to a “best friend, confidante, adviser [and] critic” who provided a “big shoulder to cry on” and vital support throughout his son’s career.

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The 58-year-old rocker added: “I learned so much from him. How to treat people correctly, to be honest, guard your integrity, be caring, responsible.

“He genuinely cared and had no pretensions – always giving people [the] benefit of the doubt and laying out huge swathes of rope to people. He was deceived and let down by some and loved by many more. His morals were impeccable. He had a scary temper but all the family have that trait.

“There’s so much to write but I can’t write it here. I have a huge hole in my heart just now and I will miss him forever.”

Robert Dick died on Monday morning at the Western General hospital. His funeral will take place in Edinburgh on May 31.

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Fish, who dedicated part of his set that night to his dad while wearing a Hibs top on stage, said the bouquet on the coffin will be green and white and accompanied by a folded Hibs scarf.

We told yesterday how dementia sufferer William Johnston, 76, died on Saturday just hours after Hibs’ dramatic win. The football-mad grandfather slipped away quietly at Midlothian Community Hospital while hugging his Hibs teddy bear in celebration.

He had previously told family he would “die a happy man” if Hibs finally won the Scottish Cup.

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