Tearful Patsy McGinnis begged nurses to let her see her husband but had to stay away because of the hospital’s strict lockdown restrictions.
“I was saying ‘please… please’, but they said they couldn’t let anyone in,” said Patsy, 76. “It broke my heart I couldn’t be with him those last days.”
She doesn’t even know if she’ll be allowed to see 78-year-old Eddie’s body to say a final goodbye – and reveals her anguish that his double act sidekick Syd Little will miss his lifelong pal’s funeral because of Government rules that only close family members can attend.
“Syd is heartbroken,” she said. “He and Eddie were teenage friends and worked together from 1963. He’s essentially family and deserves to be there.”
Patsy’s final conversation with her husband of 37 years was over the phone hours before his death early on Thursday morning – four days after he tested positive for COVID-19 which he’s believed to have picked up in hospital.
“The last words I said to him were ‘darling I love you, we all miss you so much and really want you to be able to come home’,” she said.
“He wasn’t feeling good and said ‘I’m going to have to go darling’. Then he said ‘I love you’, put the phone down and that was it. At 4 am the hospital rang to tell us he had passed away.
HEART
“We haven’t been able to see Eddie’s body since and I’m not sure if we’ll be allowed to.”
Patsy, a former singer and dancer, met Eddie when they both appeared in Aladdin in Liverpool together in 1977. The ex-electrician, born Edward McGinnis, was in his heyday with pal Syd, real name Cyril Mead.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
DINE & DASH
No worry Wolves enjoy try feast... as 'no effort Giants pay bill
LOOK BAKU IN ANGER. LANDO
Norris sees world title bid dented as the wheels come off in qualifying nightmare | \"My car's quick but don't expect magic from 16th on this street circuit...
Mum saved my life and now against the odds I've had my own miracle baby
EVERY year, grateful Jessica Chriss celebrates two birthdays.
My bond with mum of Brianna's killer
Esther Ghey thanks murderer Scarlett's mother for support as festival opens
FURY AT WHITE WIDOW MOVIE EL
survivor Mall massacre slams 'biased' project
Talk to your children about their feelings
Tom & Giovanna back mental health campaign
I wanted revenge now I'm fighting to end the violence
WHEN Tim Edwards’ daughter Elle was killed in the crossfire of a senseless gang war, understandably he wanted retribution.
OOPS..WE BOOKED INTO A SEX HOTEL
Kelly Brook on her night in naughty motel with hubby
It's time for Harry to stop living in the past
PRINCE Harry's 40th birthday is a milestone in more ways than one.
A HUG FOR SVEN
Statue of tate Enqtand. boss in his home town to be heated so It's warm to touch