Depeche Mode

THE DEATH of Andy Fletcher, keyboard player and founding member of Depeche Mode was a complete shock to fans around the globe, especially as the DJ was only ...

The latter involves a tear in the lower aorta, which can extend into the abdomen. Tears most commonly occur due to high-pressure blood tearing through the upper layers and then “dissecting” a pathway through various layers. This inner lining is known as the “intima” and ensures that blood stays in its liquid form as it flows around the body. Following the announcement of Fletcher’s death on May 26, the band came together once more, saying that there had been an “outpouring of love” and that it had been “incredible” to see how much the star meant to everyone. Fletcher, who was universally known as Fletch, was described as the “backbone” of the band that first arrived on the punk scene in 1976. With a programme dedicated to the band's past performances at the BBC airing tonight (Friday, July 8), here we look at the condition that led to Fletcher's death and how it can be prevented.