Richard had an enormous influence on my life from the moment I met him backstage at Southside 27 years ago. He encouraged me to be a braver person (move 400 miles with no job and no place to stay? Why not!) and the grit and perseverance I learnt in part from him have shaped who I am today. Although we hadn’t seen one another for a number of years, we picked up where we’d left off as naturally as if it had only been a matter of days when he was nearby for work over the last couple of years. Seeing all the tributes pour in for him, it’s amazing to see that everyone saw the same thing - there was no ‘side’ to him, just a straightforward, confident, funny and kind person with a knack for inspiring everyone he knew. Sleep well my friend, Lxx