Den was extremely loving and worked hard to provide for his family, enabling Kay to stay at home. Kay, Katherine and Andrea always knew when Den was up for the day because his happy singing and whistling could be heard throughout the house. He enjoyed playing snooker when the girls were growing up and often went to the Friary Club in St Judes with his brother and friends. Kay, Katherine and Andrea would go out in the car in their pyjamas to pick him up at 10 o’clock, but he very rarely managed to come out on time.

Once, on holiday at Butlins in Wales, Den decided he would teach his daughters how to dive in the swimming pool. Unfortunately, he slipped and hurt his back as he entered the water and never attempted it again.