Billy Reeves Shares His Battle After a Life-Changing Crash

Billy Reeves, the star of BBC Radio London, opened up about the life-altering crash that nearly killed him two decades ago. In a heartfelt interview just before his 60th birthday, he revealed the ongoing physical and mental challenges he faces since the harrowing accident. The incident, which occurred in September 2001, involved Billy’s car being struck head-on at a terrifying 99mph by teenage joyriders fleeing from police. At the time, he had just organized the debut gig for the now-iconic band The Darkness.

Reflecting on his current health status, he admitted, “It’s really strange to gauge it.” While he’s able to walk and handle daily tasks, the aftermath left him grappling with severe digestive issues and limited mobility. “My guts are a complete riddle,” he shared, emphasizing the drastic lifestyle changes he’s had to adopt, including careful dietary management and regular supplementation. With only about 20% use of his right arm due to multiple shoulder surgeries, he constantly battles pain while navigating his daily life.

Despite these hurdles, Billy remains optimistic about his mental health. “Before I had this accident, my mental health was bad,” he recalled. Post-accident, he had to learn how to walk again after a prolonged hospital stay that left him immobile. “Muscles go after two days,” he explained, indicating that the struggle continues. Yet he emphasizes the importance of a positive mindset, stating, “It’s all mental – which I know sounds dreadful.”

Revisiting the crash, he admitted to having no memory of the event itself, which he sees as a blessing considering the catastrophic nature of the incident. “The car looked like a crushed bean can,” he described, grateful he couldn’t recall the trauma that deeply affected his loved ones, especially his wife, who faced PTSD after witnessing him in the hospital.

Interestingly, Billy found two mini discs containing music he had written prior to the crash, untouched for 20 years until the lockdowns prompted him to revisit them. He was astonished to discover that he had signed to Sony and had begun to create for Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s band Theaudience in 1996, yet he could not recall the songs. Rescued by a friend, these tracks are now part of his new album, *When Lord God Almighty Reads The News*, released just a day before his milestone birthday. Hearing his creations on Radio 6, he mused, “Whatever I was thinking then, when I wrote those songs, has now come to fruition.”

Billy Reeves’ album *When Lord God Almighty Reads The News* is out now.