I remember seeing him perform at Wicked Words a few months ago in Leeds, Great performer, great poet, he'll be missed

I met Dike on only 2 occasions but both significant enough to leave me with the feeling that I'd spent time with a wonderful human being.

The first was National Poetry Day 2004, where we were both booked to play an event organised by the late great Dave Purdy at the Circle Club in Manchester. Due to a mixup of dates, we arrived to no audience and a locked door. So Purdy suggested we just find a bar and "Do the show right there". Despite us all thinking this was a stupid idea, we followed our blindly optimistic ringleader into a cavern bar, and with some trepidation - doing show right there was exactle what we did. And it was incredible, Dike took the stage and I became aware very quickly I was performing with a real honest, mesmerising, from the gut writer and performer. To an audience that wasn't expecting a bunch of poets ranting at them, just joe public in for a swift pint - he took the roof off. An incredibly unassuming man, but all he needed was a stage and his blue-touch paper was lit. And out came a mushroom cloud of sensitive, righteous, on-the-money observation and feeling. Awesome - in the real sense of the word.

The second and last time I met him was at the Spokefest UK slam in London last year, where I got to know him a little better. Needless to say he was once again a powerhouse on stage, but I'll remember his laugh more than anything, it was contagious and honest and uncontrollable and I couldn't help joining in when he started.

I wish I'd met you again. Bless you, lad.

Scott

I am very sad to hear that my friend Dike has passed away, i knew Dike before he knew poetry and watched from afar as he created and perfected his art, i shall miss my friend very much.
Peace love and light be with him
Gale