Big Jeff ‘seriously injured’ in fire at his home

Prolific gig-goer and painter Jeff Johns, better known as Big Jeff, has been ‘very seriously’ injured in a fire at his home, according to his Twitter page.

Mr Johns is being treated at a specialist burns unit in Swansea following the fire at his home in Totterdown last week.

The announcement on his arts Twitter page Big Jeff Johns Art has already been met with dozens of messages of support.

The statement said: “Jeff Johns, known to all as Big Jeff, has been very seriously injured in a fire at his home in Bristol.

“He is in a specialist burns unit in Swansea in a stable condition.

“His family have asked for people to keep Jeff in their thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time.”

Among those to respond was Rich Thomas, who said: “Get well soon Jeff, thoughts with you and yours.”

BBC Radio Bristol morning presenter James Hanson tweeted: “Get well soon Big Jeff, you’re a legend.”

Mr Johns is best known for his appearances at gigs in Bristol - in November he told BristolWorld that he had been to around 4,000, and at one point was doing 300 shows a year.

During lockdown he concentrated on his love for art, and at the end of last year he launched his first exhibition called Welcome to My World at The Island in Nelson Street.