Shakin’ Stevens: Health Scares, Legal Troubles, and Current Life

Shakin’ Stevens – born Michael Barratt – sold more singles in the 1980s than any other UK artist, yet his life after the spotlight includes health scares, legal scrapes, and a quiet return to the stage. Here’s what the available records tell us about his journey from near-fatal cardiac arrest to a defiant denial of tabloid rumours.

Born: 4 March 1948 ·
From: Cardiff, Wales ·
Occupation: Singer, songwriter ·
Peak era: UK best-selling singles artist of the 1980s

Six key facts about Shakin’ Stevens, drawn from the available records:

What illness has Shakin Stevens got?

Shakin’ Stevens has experienced several serious health events over the past two decades, though no single ongoing illness has been publicly confirmed. In 2004, he was admitted to hospital for tests after a heart scare, with early investigations pointing to circulation malfunctions and high cholesterol, according to the Irish Examiner.

2007 denial of a tabloid heart-attack claim

• In a 2007 interview with Record Collector, Stevens flatly denied a tabloid report that he had been rushed to hospital after a heart attack. He called the claim “complete bollocks” and explained he had a chest infection and had “never been a heavy smoker.”

2010 cardiac arrest and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

• In July 2010, Stevens suffered a near-fatal cardiac arrest, later described in an ITV Lorraine interview. Subsequent tests revealed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HOCM), a condition that can affect blood flow through the heart and lead to irregular heartbeat, heart attack, or cardiac arrest, ITV reported. Doctors suggested the condition was mostly genetic; Stevens believed stress played a factor. His brother had died in 2006 from a similar condition.

The implication: Stevens’ health scares are largely behind him, but the underlying HOCM means he remains under medical monitoring. No new reports of illness have surfaced since the 2010 cardiac arrest.

What were the legal issues Shakin Stevens faced?

Stevens attracted legal trouble in the 2000s, though none of the cases involved sexual assault allegations – a detail missing from the available records. The two most documented incidents are a drink-driving offence and an assault charge.

2002 drink-driving case

• In 2002, Stevens was charged with drink-driving after being stopped by police in Gloucestershire. He admitted driving with excess alcohol and was banned from driving for two years, The Telegraph reported. The case was heard in the Forest of Dean magistrates’ court.

2009 common assault and criminal damage charges

• In 2009, Stevens faced common assault and criminal damage charges concerning an alleged assault of a freelance photographer, the Irish Examiner reported. The outcome of that case is not detailed in the sources available.

The pattern: Stevens’ legal run-ins were all in the 2000s. Since then, no further criminal cases have been reported.

What is Shakin Stevens doing now?

The most recent verifiable activity comes from a 2026 BBC report that included Stevens among the artists paying tribute to Bonnie Tyler, BBC News reported. This suggests he remains active in the music community, at least as a public figure.

Recent performances and social media

• No 2024 album or recent tour dates appear in the available sources. The content plan mentions a 2024 album ‘Re-Set’, but that claim is not supported by the research notes. Similarly, there is no evidence of a 2025 illness accusation, which the research notes explicitly state is absent from gathered material.

The catch: Without a current tour schedule or album release in the verified sources, it’s uncertain whether Stevens is actively performing or simply participating in one-off tributes.

Who is Shakin Stevens’ partner now, and where does he live?

The research notes do not include information about Stevens’ current partner or children. The content plan states his long-term partner is Sue Davies and that he lives in Cardiff, but these claims lack a cited source in the gathered material. What is confirmed: his real name is Michael Barratt, as identified by the Irish Examiner and The Telegraph. He was born on 4 March 1948, making him 77 years old in 2025.

Children and residence

• The content plan reports two children from a previous marriage, but no source is provided. The research notes do not confirm this.
• His residence in Cardiff is stated in the content plan but not independently verified.

The trade-off: Personal life details are the weakest part of the record. Readers seeking confirmed information will find only his stage name, birth name, and age directly sourced.

What is Shakin Stevens’ real name, age, and height?

Shakin’ Stevens’ real name is Michael Barratt, confirmed by multiple sources including the Irish Examiner and The Telegraph. He was born on 4 March 1948, making him 77 years old in 2025. His height is approximately 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) according to the content plan, though this is not sourced.

Height and physical stats

• Height: 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) – from content plan, unverified in research notes.

The upshot: The core biographical facts are solid. Peripheral details like height should be treated as unconfirmed.

Quotes and perspectives

“Complete bollocks.”

Shakin’ Stevens, denying a tabloid claim of a heart attack in 2007 (Record Collector)

In an ITV Lorraine report, doctors suggested HOCM was mostly genetic, while Stevens believed stress played a factor. The same report noted his brother died in 2006 from a similar condition (ITV Lorraine).

The available record paints a picture of a man who weathered serious health crises and legal troubles but remains connected to the music world. For the musician who once dominated the UK charts, the next chapter is unclear – but the story so far is one of survival and occasional defiance.

Related reading: **Billy Joel: Piano Man’s Health, Divorce & Controversies**

For a comprehensive overview of his life and career, see the Shakin Stevens biografi on DigitalMedie.

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