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Wetherspoon pub chain enlisted in hunt for missing DJ Derek Wetherspoon pub chain enlisted in hunt for missing DJ Derek
(about 1 hour later)
Police searching for a missing 73-year-old Bristol DJ have enlisted the help of a pub chain where he is known to be a regular visitor.Police searching for a missing 73-year-old Bristol DJ have enlisted the help of a pub chain where he is known to be a regular visitor.
Derek Serpell-Morris, aka “DJ Derek”, was reported missing from his home in St Pauls, Bristol, last Thursday but has not been seen for several weeks. Derek Serpell-Morris, aka DJ Derek, was reported missing from his home in St Pauls, Bristol, last Thursday but has not been seen for several weeks.
He liked to visit new pubs opened by the Wetherspoon chain, so photographs have been placed in 940 premises across the UK in the hope that patrons might recognise him.He liked to visit new pubs opened by the Wetherspoon chain, so photographs have been placed in 940 premises across the UK in the hope that patrons might recognise him.
Related: DJ Derek – 'Britain's oldest DJ' – missingRelated: DJ Derek – 'Britain's oldest DJ' – missing
The former accountant has played hundreds of sets at local bars and clubs over the years, including at the Glastonbury festival. He has worked with the likes of Massive Attack and appeared in Dizzee Rascal’s hit music video Dirtee Disco in 2010.The former accountant has played hundreds of sets at local bars and clubs over the years, including at the Glastonbury festival. He has worked with the likes of Massive Attack and appeared in Dizzee Rascal’s hit music video Dirtee Disco in 2010.
The MC tweeted: “Please help find the Legend DJ Derek I met him on set of my Dirtee Disco video, really nice guy I hope he’s ok.”The MC tweeted: “Please help find the Legend DJ Derek I met him on set of my Dirtee Disco video, really nice guy I hope he’s ok.”
Please help find the Legend DJ Derek I met him on set of my Dirtee Disco video, really nice guy I hope he's ok. https://t.co/SSeJhmZy4APlease help find the Legend DJ Derek I met him on set of my Dirtee Disco video, really nice guy I hope he's ok. https://t.co/SSeJhmZy4A
Eddie Gershon, spokesman for Wetherspoon, said: “Derek is well known in a number of pubs and we are happy to assist in the search in any way possible.Eddie Gershon, spokesman for Wetherspoon, said: “Derek is well known in a number of pubs and we are happy to assist in the search in any way possible.
“We have circulated a photo of Derek to each of our managers across our 940 pubs and asked our staff to alert the police if Derek is spotted in any of them.”“We have circulated a photo of Derek to each of our managers across our 940 pubs and asked our staff to alert the police if Derek is spotted in any of them.”
DI Mark Langdon of Avon and Somerset police appealed for anyone with information to come forward. “We are growing increasingly concerned for Derek’s wellbeing,” Langdon said. “Since he was reported missing on Thursday, we have explored several lines of enquiry.DI Mark Langdon of Avon and Somerset police appealed for anyone with information to come forward. “We are growing increasingly concerned for Derek’s wellbeing,” Langdon said. “Since he was reported missing on Thursday, we have explored several lines of enquiry.
“It appears that Derek hasn’t used his bank account since the beginning of the month and doesn’t have a mobile phone. We’ve checked with all the pubs and clubs he had been booked to play at and he has not made contact with any of them.“It appears that Derek hasn’t used his bank account since the beginning of the month and doesn’t have a mobile phone. We’ve checked with all the pubs and clubs he had been booked to play at and he has not made contact with any of them.
“We have also followed up every possible sighting we have had reported to us.“We have also followed up every possible sighting we have had reported to us.
“Derek has a hobby of visiting each new Wetherspoon’s pub which opens in the region and further afield. We have liaised with Wetherspoon and they have circulated our appeal. We are liaising with Derek’s family as to the ongoing investigation.“Derek has a hobby of visiting each new Wetherspoon’s pub which opens in the region and further afield. We have liaised with Wetherspoon and they have circulated our appeal. We are liaising with Derek’s family as to the ongoing investigation.
“I would urge anyone who might have any information as to Derek’s whereabouts to contact us immediately on 101 quoting reference number MP3388/15.”“I would urge anyone who might have any information as to Derek’s whereabouts to contact us immediately on 101 quoting reference number MP3388/15.”
The DJ is described as a white man, of average height and slim build with grey hair. He also wears glasses.The DJ is described as a white man, of average height and slim build with grey hair. He also wears glasses.
He has been a resident of St Pauls in Bristol since 1978 and was formerly an accountant for Cadbury before becoming a DJ in his mid-30s. Serpell-Morris is known or playing a blend of 60s rocksteady, reggae, ska, dancehall and soul music.He has been a resident of St Pauls in Bristol since 1978 and was formerly an accountant for Cadbury before becoming a DJ in his mid-30s. Serpell-Morris is known or playing a blend of 60s rocksteady, reggae, ska, dancehall and soul music.
Anyone using social media networks to further the police appeal is asked to use the hashtag #FindDjDerek.Anyone using social media networks to further the police appeal is asked to use the hashtag #FindDjDerek.