DJ Derek: Police search for missing 73-year-old

The family of Derek Morris, otherwise known as DJ Derek, has issued an emotional plea for his safe return saying, “we need hime to come home, we miss him”.

DJ Derek is regarded as an icon to many in the music industry and has performed at Glastonbury Festival. He’s also worked with Dizzee Rascal and Massive Attack.

Since his disappearance, his niece Jennifer has sparked a huge online campaign to try and track him down. Using Facebook and Twitter she’s launched a public appeal to get information on her uncle’s whereabouts.

She has also begun a poster campaign across Bristol in efforts to find him.

She said: “Has anyone seen Derek in the last three weeks? This is urgent, please let us know. Police are now informed and he is being treated as a missing person.”

Dizzee Rascall has joined the joined attempts to spread the word online and appealed for help to find DJ Derek.

‘#DJDerek is a legend’

He 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.”

Bristol Mayor George Ferguson also tweeted: “I’m very sorry to hear this #DJDerek is a legend – I’ll do all I can to spread word across #Bristol.”

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/SSeJhmZy4A

— Dizzee Rascal (@DizzeeRascal) July 27, 2015

<blockquote class=“twitter-tweet tw_align_tweet” lang=“en”><p lang=“en” dir=“ltr”>I'm very sorry to hear this <a href=“https://twitter.com/XxJenniferAmyxX”>@XxJenniferAmyxX</a> <a href=“https://twitter.com/hashtag/DJDerek?src=hash”>#DJDerek</a> is a legend – I'll do all I can to spread word across <a href=“https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bristol?src=hash”>#Bristol</a> <a href=“http://t.co/tlqH5wUrcw”>pic.twitter.com/tlqH5wUrcw</a></p>&mdash; George Ferguson (@GeorgeFergusonx) <a href=“https://twitter.com/GeorgeFergusonx/status/624478186353618944”>July 24, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src=“//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=“utf-8”></script>

The former DJ was reported missing to Avon and Somerset police on Thursday but he was last seen over three weeks ago.

A police spokesman said: “Derek is well known in the Bristol community having been a DJ at local bars and clubs for several years.

“He is described as a white male, average height and slim build with grey hair. He also wears glasses.”

DJ Derek who’s thought to be “Britain’s oldest DJ” has been living in the St Paul’s area of Bristol since 1978 and is best known for playing reggae, ska, dancehall and soul music.

He is due to play a set at the Arcadia event in Queen Square in September.