News of Danny’s passing came as a great shock – far too early for a man of such intelligence, committment and humanity.  It’s a cruel loss and one hard to get to grips with for old friends such as myself and others, let alone his family.  No words can ease this loss, but its clear he packed in enough in one short lifetime to positively affect (literally) the lives of millions .. an amazing legacy that will act as a bedrock for his wife, children, mum, sisters and wider family.

I first met Danny when starting at Knowles Hill School in 81. As Stuart Moffat states – a little rough around the edges, but it was an early 80’s Comp after all (think Kes) …We were in the same form and became good friends. I have so many positive memories of him and his family – I was welcomed in with open arms on the many stays over in Ashburton (three down from the pub owned by Alan Hope from the Monster Raving Looney Party), not only by his parents Clive and Kath (Kath taught us English and Drama and its easy to see where Danny’s unique talents and character originated from!) but also his sisters, Mischka, Tania and Illrysia, plus their odd but appealing collie, Lisa.  Danny and I had many mutual interests – music: endless playing of a tattered copy of The Black Album by The Damned. Also, school plays (see attached photo in the local paper of rehearsals for MacBeth in 85, taken by his Dad – i took a plummet off the stage in that one – Kath Graymore whizzed me over to the local hospital with Danny in tow offering support/reassurance re the upcoming stitches!  I told my mum of Danny’s passing and though she hadnt seen him for 38 years or so, she immediately remembered him – reminding me of when she served up some routine lunch at our house to which Danny replied, with unfailing politeness, enthusiasm and very clear diction: “Thank you Mrs Richards, the beans on toast were delicious”  Haha, that was him in a nutshell! 

Their family was a great, unique and true one that i have always tried to replicate to some degree with my own tribe of wee ones.  I said the same to Danny when Tania passed and it hurts to have to say it again now, but its true and i know that his legacy will live on via Louise and the children.

Its a regret to me that we didnt manage to keep the contact going over the years and that opportunity is now sadly gone, but my memories of Danny are all good, some very special. He will be sorely missed and by many but it was a rich life that benefitted so many more. 

All the best Danny