Fran Healy pays tribute to Paris victim Nick Alexander

Fran Healey performns at the Forth Awards and (right) Nick Alexander.

Healy said he had been stunned to hear about the death of Alexander, who revealed he had been on several tours with the Glasgow band.

Speaking at the Forth Awards in Edinburgh, the singer said: “He was a really, beautiful, cool guy. I honestly couldn’t believe it when I hear what had happened.

“I didn’t believe for a second we would maybe know anyone involved in what happened in Paris, but our guitar tech called me the next day to tell me Nick had got hit.

“We’ve played in that venue. It’s a great gig. One of the best places we have played in Paris, it is a bit like the Barrowlands in Glasgow, where everyone has a great time.

“For that to go to the polar opposite it is just horrific.”

He added: “Being in our business, you just think sooner or later these mentals are going to hit a gig...in places where people go to gather, to let go, to have fun, enjoy music and smile.

“It was only a matter of time. It is really, really terrible.”

Healey dismissed suggestions that security should be stepped up at live music venues around the world in a bid to thwart further terror attacks.

“If there are three guys with an automatic weapon, they are going to get in anywhere. I would say no, what’s the point. There are so many venues now. Are you going to do it everywhere?

“There are not that many of them. There is an avalanche of media so you get the impression that it is a bigger problem than it actually is.

“We’ll still play gigs and hopefully people will go to see them.”

Nick, 36, of Colchester, was working at the Bataclan selling merchandise for the Eagles of Death Metal.

“Nick was not just our brother, son and uncle, he was everyone’s best friend - generous, funny and fiercely loyal,” his family said in a statement.

“Nick died doing the job he loved and we take great comfort in knowing how much he was cherished by his friends around the world.”