im folgenden die Pressemeldung der englischen Tageszeitung SUN, vom 08.12.04
POP star Shakin' Stevens had hospital tests yesterday after a heart scare.
The 56-year-old heavy smoker - real name Michael Barratt - saw a top heart specialist. Doctors have not ruled out surgery on the 80s rocker, who is believed to have circulation problems and high cholesterol. He began to feel ill a few days ago and went to a doctor, who immediately suspected heart problems.
The star was referred to a West London hospital, then sent to a second unit nearby hours later.
Yesterday, he was transferred again to the Harley Street Clinic - which can cost £800 a night - for tests by the leading cardiologist. An onlooker said: "He managed a smile, but he did look very concerned and not well. "And a friend said: "He has been concerned about his health for some time. He seems to smoke a lot and that could take its toll on his health.
"Stevens lives with wife Hazel in Woking, Surrey, where son Jason, 30, said: "He went to hospital, but it was only a routine check-up." It was arranged - he wasn't rushed in or anything like that. He wasn't kept in and is at a pal's house tonight. He's fine.
"The singer had four No1 hits in the 80s - This Old House, Green Door, Oh Julie and Merry Christmas Everybody.
einen Tag später erfolgte eine Gegendarstellung seines Agenten:
Pop star Shaky has no heart problems, says agent
Dec 9 2004
SHAKIN' STEVENS is as "strong as an ox", and is not suffering from reported heart problems, it was claimed last night.
According to London-based tabloids, the 56-year-old Welsh pop star was in a £900 a night Harley Street clinic being looked at by a "heart specialist". But his agent Howard Elson told the Western Mail yesterday, "He had a bad chest and I mean a bronchial condition, on returning from a tour in Denmark."He is due to be interviewed by Rob Brydon as part of the Keith Barratt series and decided to have his chest looked at. "From there the story has been blown out of all proportion. Shaky is as strong as an ox. "He had a good laugh when he read he was supposed to have heart trouble. "He had been diagnosed as having a chest infection, nothing more serious than that. "Another thing we were both surprised at is that he was described as a heavy smoker. "I've been in his company socially for many years and he has the odd cigarette after a meal, but that's it. There is no way he's a heavy smoker.
"The star, one of 11 brothers and sisters born in Ely, Cardiff, is currently working on an as yet untitled new album due to be released next February. It will be his first since he gave up recording in 1993.
Shakin' Stevens, whose real name is Mike Barratt, is known as the singer who defied fashion to top the charts again and again and again. A recording phenomenon, he had 30 Top 30 hits in a decade, a feat which has still not been matched.
While Elvis Presley was the top-selling singer of the 1950s, The Beatles sold most in the '60s and Elton John was the best seller in the '70s, Shakin' Stevens took the title in the 1980s.
His first major hit was Hot Dog which he wrote himself in 1980 and it catapulted him to fame despite being the time of Punk, the New Romantics and Electronica.He was no overnight success.Stevens became a professional singer in 1969 when he sang backing vocals with the Backbeats which were a big success in Holland. He then formed Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets and they became a popular live band. He went solo in 1977 but it took the release of seven singles before Hot Dog struck a chord with the listening public.
A long succession of chart smashes followed Hot Dog including his reworking of the 1950s classic This Old House which was his first number one hit.
Successes such as Green Door, Merry Christmas Everybody and Rockin' Good Way, a duet with Swansea's Bonnie Tyler, made him a household name throughout the 1980s.
Like Bonnie Tyler, by the 1990s he became bigger in continental Europe than he was in the UK and in 1993 stopped recording to concentrate on touring Germany, Holland and France.
He now lives in a mansion in Woking, Surrey with his wife Hazel.
His son Jason, 30, confirmed yesterday, "He's fine. It was just routine.
"Mr Elson said, "Shaky decided to get his chest looked at mainly because he was worried about how he would sound in an interview he had to do with fellow Welshman Rob Brydon. "And like all pro singers if he picks up a bad throat or chest he has to take it seriously and get it looked at."
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