“At first even walking was a trial, but I locked myself away in a room at my parents’ house in Dronfield and just played and played.

“There were times when I thought I just couldn’t do it and wanted to curl up into a ball and give up. But I persevered.

Allen continued to practise on a specially designed electric kit, often in a separate studio to his bandmates, who at no point sought a full-time replacement for him.

Jeff Rich, another drummer, acted as a stand-in for Allen, playing alongside him at gigs and in rehearsals.

According to Allen, Rich missed a flight to join them for a gig in Ireland, so Allen played alone, showing his bandmates what he could do.