two years later he resurfaced briefly with the neo-progressive rock band marillion, appearing in the video of the hit single "garden party" from their debut album "script for a jester's tear" and performing with them for three months as a replacement for their original drummer, mick pointer, who had recently been sacked. ward's performances with the band included an appearance on the bbc's "the old grey whistle test" when they performed "forgotten sons". according to mark kelly, ward had been recruited to the band without a proper audition because of his reputation. however, as both kelly and fish have recalled, his personal problems had resurfaced and he succumbed to a near nervous breakdown midway through the band's first american tour.