Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers has been fitted with... a pacemaker.
The Ferry Cross The Mersey singer, 77, has had two heart operations, including a triple bypass.
Asked if he still thinks it is funny to have a band called the Pacemakers, he said: “No. I’m wearing one, for Christ’s sake.”
The Pacemakers, who included Gerry’s brother Freddie, Arthur Mack, Les Chadwick and Les Maguire, split in 1966 but were reformed by Gerry in 1974. They continued touring until 2003, when Gerry had his triple bypass surgery.
Gerry and the Pacemakers were the second group to sign to manager Brian Epstein, after The Beatles.
They were the first Liverpool band to go to No1, and the first band to top the charts with each of their first three singles.
Their hits include You’ll Never Walk Alone, which became an anthem for Liverpool FC. Gerry sang it at a 2014 service for the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in which 96 Liverpool fans died.
He has helped raise over £35million for charity, including with recordings he made alongside other artists following the 1985 Bradford City stadium fire and the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989.
He announced his retirement two years ago, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family including Pauline, his wife of 53 years, and their daughters Yvette and Victoria.
An insider said at the time that he was not retiring for health reasons, adding: “He wound up things at the end of last year and fulfilled his obligations.
"He’s in good health, but he lives most of the time in Spain and he wants to enjoy being there and spending time with his family.”
