Ross Kemp 'devastated' after coronavirus victim dies while filming NHS documentary

Ross Kemp has described his heartbreak after a man who had asked to be part of his documentary, Ross Kemp: On the NHS Frontline, died during filming.

The actor turned TV presenter, who visited Milton Keynes University Hospital as part of the two-part ITV documentary, had returned to the medical establishment to meet the 63-year-old man after he has requested to be filmed as he was transferred to intensive care.

Speaking about the documentary, Kemp explained: “A retired military police officer, he was adamant that the public should see how severe an impact Covid-19 could have on a person’s ability to breathe. It was a testament to him that he had shown such courage to want to tell his story to the public.”

He continued: “Having left ICU and looking like he was making a recovery in the days leading up to my return, I wanted to thank him. But I was devastated to discover that his recovery was a false dawn and he passed away in the early hours of Friday morning.”

During the episode, clips were shown of the man using a ventilator on 10 April, with Kemp returning to the hospital the day after his death.

“A fighter, sadly, to the end, he lost that fight yesterday afternoon and he died as many have,” he said.

“I just want to thank him for being so brave and for allowing us to show the impact of this awful virus.”

Kemp’s documentary sparked furious reactions from viewers, who were frustrated that the documentarian could visit an ICU while loved ones couldn’t see their dying relatives.