Published: Thursday, 9th July, 2009 10:00am

I'll reveal all

RECENTLY-married rock legend Fish has promised to leave no stone unturned in a forthcoming warts-and-all autobiography on his life in and out of the celebrity spotlight.

The Haddington-based former Marillion frontman, recently the subject of drugs and violence allegations made by first wife Tamara Nowy in a tabloid interview, intends to use the as-yet-untitled book as an opportunity to set the record straight.

He will also reveal how getting married for the second time has finally brought him the inner peace he craved.

'It"s going to be an interesting read, that"s for sure,' he said of the project that will dominate his time this coming winter.

'I have been through some very difficut times, both emotionally and financially. I have always liked writing. People forget that I"m not a musician, I am a lyricist.

'I"m not going to have a ghost writer for this. I want to do it myself, for the words to come straight from the horse"s mouth.'

Fish - real name Derek Dick - has enjoyed a 30-year career in the music industry, including a number 2 UK chart single and a number 1 album with Marillion.

Turbulence in his personal life, however, had, until now, cast a long shadow.

He and Tamara divorced in 2003 after 16 years" marriage: he is also estranged from daughter Tara, 18.

It was not until last year when he met Katie Webb, a London-based sports physiotherapist, that darkness gave way to light.

The pair married on the Croatian island of Galesnik on May 30, and returned home to Haddington invigorated.

'Katie has been a breath of fresh air for me,' said Fish, who says on his website he"s 'not the devil' he was portrayed in recent newspaper claims.

'We were introduced by my friend James Anderson, brother of Jethro Tull"s Ian Anderson. We kind of clicked right away.

'She travelled on tour with me for a few months and I popped the question at the back of my tour bus. I was thrilled when she said "yes".

The new Mrs Dick, who is launching a new sports injury clinic from the couple"s county home, admitted: 'I would not say I was a fan of Fish, but I was aware of his music.

'He"s a very interesting partner, and we do have a lot in common.'

Her 51-year-old husband, currently taking an extended break from the rigours of touring, will briefly return to the stage next month for a handful of summer festival gigs. These will include the annual "Gone Fishing" event that gives him the chance to interact with his thousands of loyal fans.

This year"s get-together on August 8 and 9 is being moved from its traditional home at the Haddington Corn Exchange to a temporary venue at Leamington Spa.

Said Fish: 'There"s a lot of work being done to the Corn Exchange and there is also a lack of accommodation in Haddington at the moment.

Most of my fans come from Holland, Germany and England, there"s a recession on and it"s asking a lot for people to travel up to Scotland from there.

'From September my book will be my focus. It will feature experiences drawn from the month I spent in Vietnam in December/January 2007.

I went on holiday there to get away from things and clear my mind. I don"t want my autobiography to be a straight-forward read - but I will give the reader plenty of thought.'

Fish hope to secure a publish his book in spring 2010, to coincide with his next studio album.

*Tickets for "Gone Fishing" are available online at www.the-company.com

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