Paolo Belli returns to work months after fatal bike accident in Emilia

A return after months of silence

Paolo Belli said in a video posted on his social media channels on 3 November that he has decided to go back to work. He had halted all artistic and professional activity after a bicycle accident in July that killed a 41-year-old man. In the clip, he thanked people for their affection over the past months, whether through messages, thoughts or a simple greeting on the street. He said he would resume with a different state of mind and would not forget what happened, even when people see him smiling and singing.

“Right after what happened, I chose to stay silent out of respect and to suspend all my artistic and professional activities.”

The crash on 13 July

The accident happened on 13 July at Cognento, in the countryside between Correggio and Campagnola Emilia, while Belli was riding a bicycle. The victim had just delivered a notice for an electricity distribution company on behalf of his service firm and was walking back to his car when he was struck in the road. He fell and died the following day, 14 July, at the Maggiore hospital in Parma, after being taken there by air ambulance. Fanpage reported that Belli stopped at the scene, called the 118 emergency number and was himself taken to hospital with minor injuries and in visible shock.

Investigation

The prosecutor's office in Reggio Emilia has entered Belli in the register of suspects as a required step ahead of the checks. The investigation was assigned to the local police of the Bassa Reggiana union. Belli is under investigation for road homicide. A lawyer quoted by Fanpage described that status as a required act meant first of all to protect the person under investigation.

Work on hold and the return

Belli had suspended his summer tour and his television work, including his planned appearances in the new edition of Ballando con le Stelle on Rai1 alongside Milly Carlucci. Il Messaggero reported that he stayed involved behind the scenes, supporting his band on the programme. He is returning with a new show called 'Come se non ci fosse un domani', which focuses on his artistic career.

“I owe it to all of you to start again, and I owe it also to the people who work with me.”

Dates ahead

The first theatre dates are 6 December at the Auditorium Spira Mirabilis in Formigine, in the province of Modena, and 15 January at the Lavanderia a Vapore in Collegno, in the province of Turin. The show debuts with a zero date in Formigine, his home town. From December, he and his Big Band will play concerts across Italy with the musicians, technicians and collaborators who have worked with him for years.