Marlborough fan's McFly heroes (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Marlborough fan's McFly heroes

1:32pm Thursday 18th November 2010 in News By Nigel Kerton

McFly fan Robert Dobie, 17, who was played the band’s tracks while he was in a coma, got VIP treatment when two of the group visited Marlborough on Monday to autograph their latest CD.

Two years ago Robert was desperately ill in Bristol Children’s Hospital over Christmas and New Year when severe food poisoning left him fighting for his life. Doctors told his parents Bob and Michelle, he died twice.

McFly band member Dougie Poynter was delighted at Robert’s recovery. He said: “That is a really touching story and we are delighted if we helped.”

Robert of Rabley Wood View, was stuck for words when he met the band members. “It’s been amazing to meet them,” he said.

But his mother Michelle said: “When he was in intensive care the nurses played Rob his McFly CDs non-stop.

“Although he couldn’t answer us, we knew he could hear the CDs playing and this went on for nearly seven days.

We are convinced the band helped Rob come back to us and this is something we shall never forget.

“Meeting them brings back memories of those long dark days and nights doing whatever we could not to let our son die.”

Bassist Dougie Poynter said that as soon as they heard he was in the huge queue, they asked for him to be brought to the front so they could have a chat.

He said: “His mum told us how they played our CDs to him and that she believed this had helped bring him round. We are delighted if we helped in any way.

“We have invited him to our gig next year at Birmingham and we will get him backstage to meet all of us and we’ll get the other two to sign his album as well.”