Cult Club Legend DJ Derek Has Been Missing For Three Weeks

    The family of the 73-year-old festival favourite from Bristol say he's not been seen in three weeks.

    Legendary 73-year-old Bristol DJ, Derek Morris, also known as DJ Derek, is missing, his family say.

    Facebook: derek.morris.1253

    "I can't sleep and at wits end as I feel totally hopeless!" she said in another post, adding that the police have been contacted and are assisting with their search.

    DJ Derek has been a regular on the festival circuit for many years, as well as playing his signature mix of '60s rocksteady, reggae, ska, dancehall and soul at club nights nationwide and in his hometown of Bristol.

    Morris has been DJing since his mid-thirties, and his incongruous appearance behind the decks at reggae clubs and music festivals has gained him something of a cult following.

    Morris was an accountant for Cadbury's for over a decade, before giving it up to pursue his love of reggae by becoming a regular on the DJ circuit in Bristol's St Pauls — an area with a large African-Caribbean community.

    In 2010, DJ Derek appeared in Dizzee Rascal's video for "Dirtee Disco".

    View this video on YouTube

    youtube.com

    An outpouring of concern for Morris has been posted on his Facebook page.

    "Sending love and strength," commented one user, Hannah Bella, while many have offered their help with the search.

    Geoff Barrow of Portishead, one of the biggest bands to come out of Bristol, tweeted his support, as did Rob Da Bank, the founder of Bestival – an event Morris has regularly played.

    Please RT - Bristol DJ Legend Dj Derek is missing His family are very worried http://t.co/xdNkRCVkEL

    on a serious note DJ Derek is missing... one of my favourite DJs ever... please read http://t.co/YSRUCRKLhE

    Fans have also shared their memories of the legendary DJ.

    Hope #DJDerek is found safe and sound. Met him 6 years ago without knowing about him. He was pre-gig and an unassuming lovely guy.

    Really hope DJ Derek is ok. He's an inspiration. Many a good night with him at the helm.

    "I'm truly amazed by the amount of support we have had so far God bless you all," Morris's niece said in the latest post on his Facebook page.

    A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset constabulary confirmed to BuzzFeed News that "we were called yesterday and Derek Morris was reported missing. We are actively searching for him and request that anyone who has any information on him contact us on 101."

    BuzzFeed News has reached out to Derek Morris's family for comment.