A CHARITY worker has spoken out about his “surreal” experience touring with a platinum-selling Welsh superstar.

Nick Aitken, from Tywyn, spent several weeks accompanying singing icon Shakin’ Stevens - real name Michael Barratt - on his latest tour.

Nick, who works as a fund-raising manager for Calonnau Cymru/Welsh Hearts, joined in the tour to train ‘Shaky’s’ tour team in CPR.

The acclaimed singer has recently become patron to the Heart Charity for Wales, Calonnau Cymru helping to promote their work following his own terrifying cardiac arrest and knows just how important it is for people to learn vital life-saving skills.

In 2010, Shaky was resuscitated by his partner at home and owes his life to her after he fell unconscious and stopped breathing.

He said: “If it had not been for the immediate actions of my partner I would not be here now, my partner had to be instructed what to do over the telephone."

Nick added: “It was a bit surreal for me, definitely the most high profile person I’ve ever trained!

“Shaky, his management and the whole team were genuinely interested and did not realise how simple it is to use a defibrillator."

Read the full story in this week’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News