The 79-year-old legendary Wigan folk musician's pulse rate had dropped to just 23 beats per minute – and that was less than QUARTER of what a man his age should expect.
Within two days he had been fitted with a pacemaker.

And a man, whose only previous brush with ill health had been a hernia, realised he had enjoyed an almighty escape.
Now, exactly one year on, squeeze-box star Derek wants to very-publicly thank the Wigan Infirmary team which saved him. And he is planning to literally sing their praises ... as part of a two-day folk, rock and blues music festival in Standishgate this weekend (July 26-27).

It will be staged at son Chris Docherty's Royal Oak pub, famed for its live music and the integral real ale brewery .
Widow Derek has been an accomplished piano accordion player and singer for more than 60 years.

He's a former voice from the famed Cecilian Choir (with the teacher/conductor Marie Taylor), a founder of the long running Wigan Folk Club and used to run Coppull's Alison Arms folk festival.
Since his retirement he has beaten the cold with winter seasons playing pro in bars and clubs across Cyprus, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria for years.

But amazingly enough he has never played in public with seasoned guitarist and band member Chris before.
And one of the highlights of the Music for the Heart Festival – all proceeds will go to the Cardiac Unit at Wigan Infirmary – will be their first-ever duet accompanying the open mic sessions between the acts, which include The Rare Ould Times, John Brindley, Bernard Cromarty, The Saggy Bottom Girls and Billy and the Temperamentals.

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