Syd won’t make Eddie’s funeral

allowed to go home to recover. Patsy said: “He was taking it easy. We were going to the supermarket over the road every day to get the papers and something to eat in the cafe.

“Eddie tried so hard to get back to the life he had before. He said, ‘Look, I can’t just sit here doing nothing’.”

But the star was rushed back to hospital again in February after he picked up an infection and had another suspected heart attack.

Patsy said: “He suffered what’s known as a rigor, which causes severe shakes. It had happened before because of his weakened immune system, but it was still very frightening to see.” Staff at Bristol’s Southmead

Hospital told Eddie’s family to prepare for the worst. Patsy said: “We had been told two or three weeks ago that Eddie likely only had days or weeks to live.

“Then, on Sunday, the doctors said he had a high temperature and they had to swab him for coronavirus.”

It is believed Eddie, who was on the Government’s list of 1.5 million extremely vulnerable people, caught Covid-19 in hospital. Patsy said: “He deteriorated quite quickly after that. But on Wednesday he had a resurgence. The whole family, including the grandkids, spoke to him.”

But Patsy kept one sad secret from Eddie in his final days. She said: “His nephew had passed away with coronavirus, but I didn’t want to upset him so I told him everyone was OK.”

Patsy is now planning a huge memorial event for after the lockdown. Eddie wanted his send-off to be upbeat and asked for a rock version of Man City’s anthem Blue Moon to be played.

She said: “I told him I’d try to have some of his ashes scattered at Man City’s ground. He loved Man City. I used to get quite jealous of it sometimes!” The star also asked for Leona Lewis’ Run to be played at his funeral as the lyrics summed up his feelings for his wife.

Patsy, who also plans to play a piano version of the Little & Large theme tune to pay tribute to her husband, is due to collect Eddie’s wedding ring from hospital today. She sobbed: “He was a wonderful husband and we loved each other so much. I don’t know what I’ll do without him.”

But she is finding some comfort in knowing that Eddie is at peace. She said: “He was really suffering by the end.

“He was already breathless because of his heart failing so when he got the coronavirus, he just couldn’t fight it. At least he’s out of pain now.

“I thank God for that and for all the doctors and nurses who did everything they could. They were brilliant.”