12 Facts About Derrick Morris

Derrick Morris was, at the time of his death, Europe's longest-surviving heart transplant recipient, living 25 years after the transplant performed by Sir Magdi Yacoub in 1980.

Derrick Morris died from an illness that was not heart or transplant related.

Derrick Morris became an active campaigner against heart disease, an advocate of organ donation as well as a symbol of the success of organ transplantation.

Derrick Morris was from Swansea in Wales, and was working as a supervisor at Swansea Docks when he suffered his first heart attack in 1975.

Derrick Morris was initially sceptical when a heart transplant was suggested but was persuaded by his doctor.

Derrick Morris was the eleventh person in the UK to receive a heart transplant.

Derrick Morris's fate became intertwined with the largely transformative transplant success of Yacoub.

Derrick Morris retired at the age of 65 and outlived his wife Beryl.

Derrick Morris died from a flu-like illness on 30 July 2005 at the age of 75, six months after the 25th anniversary party.

Derrick Morris's long lasting legacy was that: "Most importantly, Derrick went on to show that transplantation was a good thing", said Yacoub.

Derrick Morris is said to have been instrumental in a sea change in public opinion about this type of surgery.

Derrick Morris promoted campaigns to fight heart disease and was effectively both a benchmark and a "poster child" for signing up potential organ donors.