The music world is in mourning after the tragic death of Paul Hardcastle Jr, the 35-year-old son of 80s icon Paul Hardcastle, following a motorcycle crash during a police pursuit in Essex.
A Tragic Police Pursuit in Essex
Essex Police have confirmed that officers attempted to stop a motorbike in Ongar on Monday. The rider failed to stop, leading to a pursuit. The motorcycle was subsequently involved in a collision with a van. The driver of the motorbike, a man in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the van was arrested in connection with the incident and has since been released under investigation. Due to the nature of the incident, Essex Police have referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has confirmed it will conduct an independent investigation.
A Father's Heartbreaking Tribute
Paul Hardcastle Sr, the celebrated musician best known for his 1985 chart-topping hit '19', announced the devastating news on Instagram on Monday night. He shared a childhood photograph of his son alongside a poignant message.
The 68-year-old composer and producer wrote: 'Just to let you know that my super talented son Paul Hardcastle Jnr was in a fatal motorcycle accident earlier and has sadly died. RIP son love Dad.'
Paul Hardcastle Jr was a musician in his own right, following in his father's footsteps. He was known as a saxophonist and DJ, having contributed to his father's albums, including 2008's 'Hardcastle 5' and the 2022 release 'Hardcastle X'. His first single, 'Touch and Go', produced by his father, reached number one on the US Billboard Jazz Chart in 2010.
A Family Legacy in Music and Shared Passion
The tragedy is compounded by a painful irony. In a May 2024 interview on 'My 80s Playlist', Paul Hardcastle Sr revealed he had once aspired to be a motorbike racer. A serious accident in his youth, which he attributed partly to his own speed, left him hospitalised for nearly four months with compound fractures.
He recounted how this period of convalescence, spent listening to the radio, helped cement his path into music. His son, Paul Jr, shared not only his musical talent but also this passion for motorcycles.
Tributes have poured in from friends and the entertainment industry. TOWIE star James Argent expressed his condolences, writing 'I'm so sorry mate, thinking of you all. Heartbreaking,' while presenter Hayley Palmer offered her support to the grieving family.
Paul Hardcastle Sr married Dolores Baker in 1985, with music mogul Simon Fuller as his best man. The couple had three children together, including Paul Jr and Maxine Hardcastle, who has provided vocals for her father's work.
