MUSIC legend Paul Hardcastle has revealed he spoke to his son just minutes before he was killed in a fatal motorbike accident.
Paul Hardcastle Jnr, 35, died on Monday after failing to stop for police in Ongar, Essex.
His dad has now revealed the musician was desperate to get to his house to pick up a saxophone for a trip to Greece having already missed a flight.
In a video posted on Instagram, he revealed Paul Jr used a scrambler bike with a torch tied to the front to get to his house after his car was impounded two days earlier with a punctured tyre.
Paul Sr said in his heartbreaking video: “He went like, ‘I’ll get back to you in five minutes’. He didn’t get back to me in five minutes.”
The devastated dad lamented his loss, saying to camera: “I’ve lost a lovely son, and he’s lost his life, and could have easily all been avoided.”
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He urged others to think twice about making decision that could potentially have life-changing consequence.
“You make decisions, and if you make the wrong ones, then these are the things that can happen to you,” he said.
“So anyone out there that’s thinking, ‘oh, I’ll just do this. I’ll just do that’. It’s just not worth it.”
Paul Sr then recalled the moment police told him that his son had died.
He continued: “Because when you get that knock on the door, and I felt sorry for the policeman, actually, there’s two of them and they was nice. And they said ‘Do you mind if we come in? We’ve got some news’. I said ‘Okay’. [They replied] ‘We’re very, we’re very, very, very sorry to tell you that your son’s been involved in an accident and he’s passed away’.
Fighting back tears, he went on: “When you hear that, wow, nothing’s worth doing it for.
“So anyone out there thinking along them lines, don’t bother. It’s just not worth it. Cancel the gig. Do something else. I don’t know whatever you want to do, but don’t do that, because it really that the odds, I won’t say the odds are set against you, but the odds, when they come up, then they can be really brutal, and that’s what’s happened.
“So rest in peace Paul Jr, love dad.”
His followers praised his bravery, with one writing: “Bless you Paul for doing this and I understand why we can all see the pain , love to you and your family.”
Another said: “Wow, such strength to tell this story and to spread awareness to everyone whilst doing so. What a gentleman. Really sorry for your loss, Paul really was amazing and will always be remembered by so many.”
Paul Jr’s bike was involved in a crash with a van while the rider fled from pursuing officers.
The driver of the van was arrested in connection with the incident and released under investigation.
Essex Police said the incident had been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) – the IOPC has since confirmed that it will carry out an independent investigation into the tragedy.
On the evening of the fatal smash, composer and record producer Paul shared a picture of his son to announce the tragic death.
Over the image of a young Paul Jr the grieving, Paul Sr: “Just to let you know that my super talented son Paul Hardcastle Jr was in a fatal motorcycle accident earlier and has sadly died. RIP son love Dad.”
Celebrities flocked to the comments of the social media post to offer their condolences to the grieving father.
Former Towie star James Argent said: “I’m so sorry mate, thinking of you all. Heartbreaking.”
While presenter Hayley Palmer said: “Paul, I don’t even have the words – I am so so sorry to hear this. Heartbreaking. Am thinking of you Paul xx”
Paul Sr cancelled an upcoming sold-out show in the wake of the tragic incident.
He was scheduled to be interviewed by Hayley Palmer at the Hippodrome Casino in London about his life in the music industry.
But host Hayley revealed the news that the show has been cancelled in a post on her Instagram.
She said: “With a heavy heart, I can confirm that Paul Hardcastle has had to cancel Sunday’s show following the devastating loss of his son. My thoughts are with Paul and his family.
“Thank you to everyone who booked and sent such kind messages – all tickets will be refunded automatically.”
Paul Hardcastle Jr followed in his father’s footsteps to became a successful musician.
He was a DJ and played the saxophone, appearing on the final track, Take 1, of his father’s 2008 album Hardcastle 5.
Paul Senior, 68, is most well known for his 1985 number one hit about soldiers in the Vietnam War, 19.
The song was so successful it became number one in 13 countries.
Paul Sr said every time he stepped out of the house someone would hum the track’s chorus “N-n-n-n-nineteen, nineteen.”
Paul Jr’s 2010 debut single, Touch and Go, was produced by his father and reached number one in the USA Billboard Jazz Chart.
His website describes him as “a billboard chart-topping and Grammy-nominated saxophonist who has enjoyed a successful career across music.”
Paul Jr began performing at just 16, appearing at professional shows in London as a saxophonist for celebrity parties, corporate launches, superclubs, nightclubs, functions & bars all over the U.K.
After the fatal collision on Monday night, Essex Police said: “A man has died following a collision on the A414 near Bobbingworth.
“It was reported that a motorbike and a van were involved in a collision at around 6.38pm on Monday, 12 January.
“Sadly, the motorbike rider – a man aged in his 30s – died at the scene.
“The driver of the van was arrested in connection with the incident and has since been released under investigation.
“At the time of the collision, the motorbike was being pursued by an Essex Police vehicle following a report that it had failed to stop for officers in Ongar High Street a short time earlier.
“The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is a mandatory step in circumstances such as this.
“The IOPC has confirmed that it will carry out an independent investigation.”
