Fish gutted as fiancée walks out over pre-nup

Published on 01/06/2007 12:04

ROCK star Fish told today how his fiancée has walked out on him - two days after they sent out their wedding invitations.

The couple split after Heather Findlay refused to sign a pre-nuptial agreement with the former Marillion frontman.

She called off their wedding following a series of explosive rows since she moved into his home in Haddington, East Lothian.

The couple had been due to marry in August in front of 250 guests, with the celebrations costing 22,000.

Fish, 49, whose real name is Derek Dick, said he was "devastated" by Heather's decision to leave. But rather than cancelling the reception, he said he would turn it into a launch party for his forthcoming album.

He became engaged to the 29-year-old singer, who performs with the progressive rock band Mostly Autumn, on Valentine's Day. But he said she had been unhappy about moving to Scotland and had not got on with his band members. His heavy workload as he recorded his new album had also driven them apart.

He said: "I'm pretty angry about it. I feel extremely let down. It's been done in a shoddy way. There was no attempt at reconciliation.

"Obviously, it's pretty devastating having gone this far. Everything's been arranged. I'm paying for the wedding for 250 people. I've been left with a 250 wedding cake, marquees and catering."

Fish previously went through the heartbreak of divorce from Tamara Nowy six years ago, which left him on the verge of bankruptcy. He was forced to sell his house and work tirelessly to support their 16-year-old daughter, Tara.

As well as singing, he has appeared on TV in Rebus, The Bill and Taggart. He is also a radio DJ on digital station Planet Rock.

He immediately hit if off with Heather when they met at the Classic Rock Society Awards in December 2005. Although the couple split up in October, as Fish didn't want more children while Heather did, they managed to work out their differences.

He said: "I really missed her. I said if that's what she wanted, let's go for a family. We had a long talk about it before we got engaged.

"She moved in in March, but from that point on it's been a whole series of arguments. I just put it down to the fact it was a strange place, and most of her friends were down in York.

"We started having arguments about the pre-nuptial agreement. I've got a lot of assets and I just wanted it put down on paper. She refused to sign it. It made me a little nervous.

"There's a 20-year age difference. My biggest fear was at 60 losing my roof over my head. I've also got to think about my daughter."

Fish was awarded 170,000 in 2005 after taking his former PA, Kim Waring, to court. She was alleged to have stolen 68,000 from his accounts while he toured.

He said: "It got to the point where I asked Heather if she was absolutely sure. Then we sent out the invitations. Two days later, we went out for a romantic meal, and it turned into a very ugly night."

Heather walked out at four in the morning, following an argument at the Rocks restaurant in Dunbar. Her brother helped her move out the next day.

They had planned to be married in St Mary's Church, Haddington on August 4, followed by a reception in the grounds of his house.

The wedding would have coincided with the launch of his new album, 13th Star.

He said he was throwing himself into his work, and relying on support from family and friends. He decided to turn his wedding into a party to celebrate the album's release.

He said: "My whole family has been great. My daughter is the jewel in my life. I'm just going to have my friends around and party on the day. There's no point being morose."