Author death plunge puzzle

The 65-year-old, from Wisewood, was found slumped unconscious outside Regent Court flats on Bradfield Road, Hillsborough, at 8.45am yesterday and pronounced dead in the Northern General Hospital a short time later.

Fred found fame late in life with his nostalgic book Weerz Me Dad?, a humorous account of growing up in Sheffield during the 1940s and 50s. In 2005 Sheffielders voted the best-seller - which raised thousands of pounds for St Luke's Hospice - their second favourite book ever.

Today Fred's devastated family said they do not yet know the circumstances surrounding his death and are waiting for police to carry out inquiries.

An investigation was launched immediately, but his shock death is not being treated as suspicious.

Fred's son-in-law, Martin Fitzpatrick, told The Star today: "The family is absolutely devastated about such a tragic loss. He will be very, very dearly missed, not only by his family but many good friends.

"It is very early days. We don't know what happened. We are awaiting the outcome of police inquiries."

The former scrapyard worker-turned-writer - whose new book Weerz Me Mam? is due to go on sale next month - spoke to The Star only the day before his death.

He told The Star's Diary writer Martin Dawes he felt "up and down", said a close friend had recently died, and revealed his wife Sandra had been diagnosed with skin cancer - which his son-in-law said is "not a serious form and more of a scare".

But the lifelong-Owl did admit he was looking forward to the launch of his sequel.

Remembering the last interview, Martin Dawes said: "He sounded a little down in the dumps. He said he felt up and down. His wife Sandra had been ill and a best friend had died.

"I asked him if there was a third book to be had of his later life. He was none too sure."

Would you like to pay tribute to Fred? Click here to go to our book of condolence and leave your comment.He said Fred's "rough-hewn and often bawdy humour" made him a firm favourite with locals.

"The publishers had to put warnings about the strong language on the cover of Weerz Me Dad? although it didn't affect sales," he added.

"Fred had a good memory, a way with words, and a little bit of artistic licence."

His first book of childhood memories, published in 2001, has sold more than 25,0000 copies and, along with collections of his poems, has raised over 35,000 for St Luke's.

Fred's charity work also involved him sketching well-known stars, particularly footballing heroes, and getting them to sign the pictures for auction. They raised cash for the Weston Park Cancer Care Appeal, which he supported after the death of his father from cancer.

Publishers of sequel Weerz Me Mam? predicted sales of 5,000 copies in the first week alone, such was Fred's popularity among readers.

Alistair Lofthouse, of ALD Design & Print, said: "I'm in deep shock. I was only speaking to him on Wednesday about the book launch.

"We were getting a Full Monty actress to do some readings from it at Waterstone's in Orchard Square.

We were all looking forward to it."

Fred is survived by his wife Sandra, daughter Jill, sons Mark and Jonathan, and three grandchildren.

Sheffield coroner Chris Dorries has been informed of the death and an inquest is due to be opened.

Would you like to pay tribute to Fred? Click here to go to our book of condolence and leave your comment.