Pete Townshend of The Who told a High Court judge yesterday of the “exceptional” style and virtuosity of a saxophonist whose career was destroyed by the Marchioness disaster.

Jo Wells was rescued after spending three minutes under water when the River Thames pleasure cruiser collided with the sand dredger, Bowbelle, in August 1989.

She escaped with minor injuries, but her “glittering” life performing “at the high level” with top rock acts including Tears for Fears and the Communards came to an end.

Post traumatic stress left her unable to play her soprano saxophone and she now lives on income support at her flat in Manchester, virtually isolated from the glamorous world she once inhabited, Mr Justice Kay was told.

The owners of the Bowbelle and Marchioness have accepted liability for the tragedy, but are contesting the amount of compensation, claiming Jo was burned out before the accident and had not played professionally for 18 months.

Townshend, who employed her as a session musician in 1986, told the judge yesterday that Jo could have looked forward to a career at the top of her profession earning up to £3,000 a week.

The veteran rocker was accused by Graham Aldous, representing the ship owners, of “gilding the lily” over her abilities to help out a friend in the industry and he was known as a man whose statements were “not always tied to reality”.

He replied: “I may have had something of a reputation in the past but I am making this statement under oath.”

He said he had become a good judge of musicianship employing the best musicians in their field for his albums.

“Jo really stuck in my mind. She was absolutely exceptional,” he added.

The hearing continues.