Fiddle star and uncle of Chris Hoy dies from brain tumour

TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known city folk musician and uncle of Olympic gold-medal winning cyclist Sir Chris Hoy who has died following a short battle with brain cancer.

Fiddle player Derek Hoy, 58, a great supporter of his famous nephew, passed away at his Portobello home at 2am on Saturday.

The long-time member of renowned folk bands Jock Tamson’s Bairns and Bella McNab’s Dance Band leaves behind his wife, Christine, and two daughters, Jenny and Sarah.

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One of his daughters posted a poignant message on Derek’s Twitter account, saying: “This is Derek’s daughter. I’m sorry to tell you that Derek passed away this weekend from a brain tumour. He was surrounded by people who loved him and we’ll miss his mischievous genius.”

Derek had only been diagnosed with the 
illness in August.

Long-time friend and Jock Tamson’s Bairns band member Rod Paterson said: “I’d known Derek since we set up the band in 1978. He was a dear friend and a very talented musician.

“To his close friends he was known as ‘Happy’. I think it was more a backhanded compliment as he had such a long face but, either way, it fitted because he was never anything other than just that – happy.

“Happy was a one-off, he was one of the best fiddlers I ever met. He had a great sense of humour but was never loud or over the top.”

David Francis, who was a bandmate in Bella McNab’s Dance Band for more than 17 years, said: “He was pretty stoical upon learning of his illness and he was determined to make the most of whatever time he had.

“He was an exceptional fiddler with remarkable touch and he will be missed by all in Scottish folk music. I’m sure over the coming weeks we will all come together to remember him with a night of music.”

In recent years, Derek also worked in IT developing software for use in the health industry.

Earlier this year, we revealed how Derek was struggling to get hold of tickets to see six-time Olympic hero Sir Chris, 36, in action.