For those of you who are not on Facebook, or haven't seen this information, it has been an extremely turbulent Christmas for popular Shropshire pianist Derek Harrison and his family.  This information has been posted publicly by his daughter Amie on Facebook.

16/12/24 - Having asked Dad if he has an update for all you fabulous folk who have taken time to send such lovely messages, this is his response....

Just tell 'em, I'm still here, alive and kicking, and sending love and thanks to everyone who asks.

18/12/24 - ***DAD'S HOME*** ?????? Tired, bruised and happy but he's home! Thank you to everyone for all your fabulous messages, we all appreciate it so much ?? ??

23/23/24 - ***Update***

Mum has asked that I let you all know that it's been a dicey time for our family over the last 48 hours and would like me to pass on the following information.

Having had his main aortic valve replaced on Monday, Dad came home on Tuesday feeling quite chipper but unfortunately went downhill from then on. In the early hours of Sunday morning I had a call for help from them which resulted in an ambulance coming to take Dad off to Shrewsbury Hospital where he spent the day having treatment in A & E. We came home last night only to get a phone call at 1am telling us to go back ASAP. The family assembled and 11 of us tag teamed our way in and out of his bay, finally seeing him off to Stoke around 3am where the journey was not without further complications and by the time we arrived Dads heart had stopped 10 times in total during the evening. However, Dad found his rhythm and self started each time but was exhausted with the effort.

Having been joined by Siân, in the early hours we saw a lovely doctor who explained that a pacemaker was going to be fitted this morning and that we would then see a vast improvement. We left a very 'unusual' Dad and Stoke and arrived home just after 8am only to receive a call from the man himself at 1pm to say he was back on the ward with a smile and a new bionic chest!

We're not out of the woods just yet, there are still some things that aren't quite working as they should but to hear his cheerful voice was amazing.

We are incredibly grateful to all the NHS staff that are continuing to look after our fabulous Dad, they have all been amazing.

The best Christmas gift any of us could have would be to bring him home tomorrow ??

24/12/24 - Sadly Dad hasn't been allowed home today. He's doing extremely well but he still needs a bit of help after these two big operations before being allowed out. Mum, Tali and I have just returned home from Stoke and we're pleased to say that Dad is in good spirits and extremely grateful for all your well wishes.

25/12/24 - ***Update***

Dad is ho ho home! ??????

Mum, Rod and I went to Stoke to collect him this afternoon and Dad has settled well back at #25.

More news to follow but THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all of your calls, messages, comments and support over the last week, you've kept us all going over an incredibly stressful time.

Right now we have a lasagne, Chianti and Gavin and Stacey later, not the usual Christmas BUT Dad's home so despite the lack of all the trimmings it is the best Christmas ever.

Happy Christmas everyone xxx

Amie