A dad-of-four battling stage four cancer has reformed his band after being inspired by Alarm frontman Mike Peters and his wife Jules' fight with the disease. 

Rich Williams was lying on his hospital bed watching TV after treatment for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma when he stumbled on the rock star couple's BBC documentary Mike and Jules: While We Have Time.

Rich, 41, from Holyhead, Anglesey was so moved that he decided to pick up his guitar again and get back on stage with his band The Atoms.

And in a twist of fate The Atoms will perform at this year's ZipRoc Festival on June 15 which is curated by Mike who was awarded the MBE this year.

Mike will also play at the festival for the second year running at Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda.

Last year’s festival raised a total of £25,000 for Mike's the Love Hope Strength Foundation which raises money for cancer charities.

Rich Williams, far right with his band The Atoms will perform at Mike Peters' ZipRoc festival.

The Atoms have a big following on Anglesey and Rich hopes a few bus loads will travel to see the band’s first gig in nearly two years.

Rich, whose children are aged six, four, two and one heaped praise on Mike and Jules for displaying so much courage and determination, which was brought to a national audience in the moving documentary.

He said: "I found this to be incredibly inspirational, especially where Mike spoke of the importance of developing a focus or challenge, something to look ahead to.

"I felt energised by what Mike said and decided to reform my band 'The Atoms' whilst I was still receiving treatment."

Early last month Rich found out his treatment was a success and he now plans to follow Mike's example and help to raise money and awareness of cancer.

Mike Peters & the Alarm - Gathering 2017 at Venue Cymru

For his part Mike is looking forward to welcoming The Atoms to ZipRoc.

He said: "ZipRoc is being held in aid of the Love Hope Strength Foundation , to help raise money to support cancer care services.

"Rich’s story is inspirational and so are his family and friends. We wanted the band to be part of the day because it’s helped to give Rich something to aim for in the last few months of his treatment."

Jules on her cancer battle

Video Loading

Mike added: "The aim of the event is to draw in well known, award winning acts and also enable local bands like The Atoms to play alongside these recognised musicians. Seeing Rich perform on the day will be a proud moment for a lot of us."

Rich is bristling with excitement at the prospect of playing the festival: "I’ve been a fan of The Alarm forever, ever since I was 18 years old. I can’t wait to meet him although it will probably be a bit nerve-wracking!"

The festival which takes place at the home of the fastest Zip Line in the world, Velocity 2, will be headlined by ‘90s favourites Cast and Miles Hunt of The Wonder Stuff.

Other popular local musicians including Bryn Fôn , Elin Fflur, Maffia Mr Huws and Alffa will also be playing.

Rich, credits his wife Sioned with giving him the confidence to reform the band. Now he and his wife Sioned can do something that until a few short weeks ago they daren’t think about - plan for the future.

The 41-year-old who works at the Wylfa nuclear power plant, which is being decommissioned said: "We have said to each other that, now we’ve gone through this past year, we’ll have a much better life because it’s put everything else into perspective."

"Penrhyn Quarry is an incredibly beautiful setting for a festival. It’s going to be our first gig back so we are quite nervous but I just want to get out there onto that stage.

"I can’t believe we'll be playing alongside such popular bands. Playing at ZipRoc really is like a dream come true for me."