Kym Marsh has revealed her uncle George has died from coronavirus.
The soap star, 43, said George, the husband of her mother’s sister, caught the virus in hospital and his family was unable to visit him.
The former Hear’Say singer paid tribute to her uncle in her OK! magazine column, saying he was the life of the party.
Heartbreaking: Kym Marsh, 43, has revealed her uncle George has died from coronavirus and family members were not allowed to see him in hospital
She said: ‘You hear about people losing their loved ones during this time and people passing away alone in hospitals and only a few people attending their funerals.
‘But when it happens to you and your family, it really brings this whole thing home.’
Kym said George had been in a care home before he fell ill and was taken to hospital.
Family members sent him video messages which were played to George by nurses before he died.
Difficult time: The soap star said family members sent George video messages which nurses played to him in hospital
Kym said: ‘I like to think that offered him some comfort.’
George was close with the young singer and would often accompany her to her first gigs, pretending to be her bodyguard.
Kym’s family has had a number of recent health difficulties and she previously thanked the NHS for saving the lives of her father and children.
The soap star said that in recent years they’ve cared for her dad David after he suffered two heart attacks, along with daughter Polly and son David, who were both born prematurely.
Important: The Coronation Street star recently praised NHS staff after they saved the lives of three of her family members
Kym went onto praise NHS staff for also helping her through a particularly difficult time, following the death of her son Archie in 2009.
Kym told the Manchester Evening News: ‘The NHS saved my dad’s life, they saved my daughter’s life, they saved my son’s life, and they saved my life, I am forever in their debt.’
The actress explained that over the years her dad, now 75, has survived two heart attacks with the help of NHS staff.
She added that both her son David, 25, and daughter Polly, nine, were born prematurely and needed extra care from hospital staff.
Challenges: The soap star said they’ve cared for her dad David after he suffered two heart attacks, along with daughter Polly and son David (pictured), who were both born prematurely
Kym went onto reveal that she credits medical staff with saving her life following the tragic death of her son Archie.
She added: ‘They are the reason that I am here alive today. They got me through the most horrendous experience of my life when my son Archie passed away just minutes after being born in February 2009.
‘Even when the doctors and nurses knew there wasn’t any hope of saving his life they never stopped giving their all to care for me, both physically and mentally.’
Struggles: Kym went onto reveal that she credits NHS staff with saving her life following the tragic death of her son Archie
Kym also recently reunited with her soldier boyfriend Scott Ratcliff, 31, after he spent seven months abroad due to his military service.
The actress shared a smitten snap with her Army Major beau as the pair toasted Scott’s return with a glass of champagne on their first ‘date night’.
Kym captioned the snap: ‘Finally having a date night with my man! 7 months apart but it’s amazing to see how our relationship has grown despite the distance.
‘In these difficult times make time for each other. Grab the dinner or a drink together. Love each other. Appreciate each other. Let’s all do these things and we will all emerge stronger.’
The pair’s reunion was a sweet moment after Scott’s return from his Afghanistan tour was delayed due to coronavirus. He made a short return to the UK in January.
Back together: Kym also recently reunited with her soldier boyfriend Scott Ratcliff after he spent seven months abroad due to his military service