Mark Wright has opened up about how COVID tore his family apart.
Mark Wright
The 34-year-old presenter was left devastated after six relatives all contracted the virus within days of each other and his uncle Edward, 66, passed away in March after an eight-week battle with COVID.
Speaking to The Sun Online, Mark said: "I am sat here one uncle less. He's the heart of our family. We're all heartbroken beyond belief. I'm trying to be there for many, many family members who are devastated."
The Wright family was hit hard with the virus around Christmas when Mark's parents, Mark. Snr, 64, and Carol, 60, his uncle Georgie, 62, his grandmother Irene, 85, and his grandfather all tested positive within days of each other.
Mark said: "I’m struggling to cope with this. In December and January I was at a point with a grandma, grandpa, mum, dad and uncle — when I could have lost them all.
“Covid tore my family apart and it’s not going to be the same again.
"It feels worse that it’s a new virus. If it was something else like cancer it would be just as hard.
“But COVID feels so alien and I’ve lost someone so close to something so new. I struggle with this because it didn’t have to happen. Why did this virus have to take him?”
And Mark said the family COVID battle and his uncle's death had changed him.
He explained: It’s changed my outlook on life — made me realise you can’t dwell on little things.
“I have this inner strength because Eddie would do everything for anyone. He was a strong man and he wouldn’t want me to dwell on this but to remember him.
“Eddie loved what I did for a living, maybe even more than my own parents. He knew everything about my career and read everything I did, so I’m going to miss that support."
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