Rachel’s song of heartbreak for tragic lost friend Tommy
AHEARTBROKEN woman from Castleton is releasing a song in memory of a friend.
Tommy Nuttall, who lived on Royton, died on August 7, 2017, aged 28 after a short illness.
He died never knowing what had happened to his brother, Ciaron Nuttall, who vanished without a trace aged 18 in 2011. Tommy never stopped searching him.
Ciaron stormed out of the house after a family argument, and was last seen on Cardigan Street, in Royton.
Their mother, AnnMarie Walls, 45, also sadly died in 2016. An inquest recorded a verdict of misadventure, which prompted Tommy to launch a fresh appeal for Ciaron’s return.
Ann- Marie died just a week before the fifth for anniversary of her son Ciaron Nuttall’s disappearance.
Now, Tommy’s best friend Rachel Kelly, 34, is releasing a song in Tommy’s memory, titled Dear Old Friend.
It will be released on the anniversary of his death, August 7, 2021.
Rachel said: “We’ve been friends for years.
“I first met him at St Gabriel’s Primary School - we were both fans of the band Steps. He came up to me and we bonded over Steps.
“Before he died, we had a falling out and hadn’t spoken for a few years.
“It was over something really stupid - we never made friends again and then he died.
“We would have been alright again but we were both as bad as each other and didn’t want to be the first to apologise.”
Rachel was inspired to start singing by Tommy.
The pair had sung together at a charity event in memory of Ciaron, and following this, had sang together for five years.
Rachel said: “It was Tommy that gave me the confidence.
“When he died I said I wanted to do a song for him.
“I didn’t want to do a cover song - I wanted it to be something special that meant something to both of us.
“I can’t really write songs, or play, so I contacted Max Restaino, who supported Steps on tour. “He agreed to help me write it.”
Rachel told Max background information about her and Tommy and he helped put the song together.
She added: “I didn’t cry when I went to record it which was a surprise, but I thought it’s for Tom and I need to get it done.
“Everyone has been really supportive.”
Speaking at the time of his mum’s death, Tommy said: “Not a day went by that she didn’t miss him or talk about him. I need him more than ever now.
“I want to let him know that everything is OK and we miss him so much. He is always at the forefront of our minds.”
You can preview the song, which will be released on August 7, at rachelkelly. hearnow. com.