THE family of a man known around the world as one half of the longest-running married couple with Down’s Syndrome are prepared for the worst as he fights Covid.

Tommy Pilling, of Shoebury, contracted the virus in hospital after being admitted when he suffered a fall at home.

The popular 62-year-old is now receiving end-of-life care in Basildon Hospital. Doctors have told his family it could be just hours before he passes.

He, with wife Maryanne, who also has Down’s Syndrome, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in July and have been shielding for much of 2020.

Maryanne’s mum Linda Martin, 70, of Shoebury, who also regards Tommy as her child, admitted she doesn’t know how the family will cope.

She said: “It started after he had a fall and went into hospital for treatment, then he caught an infection and after a CT scan it was confirmed he had Covid pneumonia.

“He’s on morphine and I pleaded with the doctor as I dreaded him suffering in pain.

“MacMillan nurses are with him now and I am so angry as it’s so needless and it’s running rife. It’s so difficult and complex with Maryanne and I keep dropping little hints and am waiting for her to ask questions. As a family there’s lots of tears and then we go through times of feeling much stronger. I guess we’ll just have to cope. He’s still hanging in there.”

The couple have more than 35,000 followers from all over the world including Australia and America.

They were married at St Mary’s Church, in Southend, and met while they were working in a kitchen at a learning centre for adults.

Ms Martin added: “I am so angry that people are being stupid and not following the Covid rules. These people should see what’s it’s like in the wards and how the amazing NHS staff are working so hard. I don’t know what it will take for people to take it seriously - we need to following the rules now so we can see our family at a later date.”

Following the pair at www.facebook.com/maryanneandtom.