Mark Wright says family has been 'torn apart' by coronavirus

Mark Wright has said his family is "not going to be the same again" after being hit hard by the coronavirus.

Last month the former The Only Way Is Essex star's uncle Eddie died aged 66 after having the illness for eight weeks, while several other members of his family have also caught COVID-19.

The 34-year-old told The Sun: "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.”

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His father Mark Snr and his grandmother Irene were both hospitalised with the virus around four months ago, with both since recovering and returning home.

Watch: Mark Wright's uncle dies following COVID battle

Meanwhile, his mother and grandfather also contracted COVID-19.

“I could have lost them all," he added to the publication. "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.”

Mark said that his uncle had shown signs of improvement after being put into a coma but that he began to "get more infections" while in hospital and his condition deteriorated.

His cousin Elliott Wright, who has also starred on Towie, announced the news of Eddie's passing to Instagram.

He wrote: "It is with heart wrenching regret, that I have to post this post, my father Edward George Wright passed away peacefully with his family by his side on the 02.03.2021 after bravely fighting Covid for 8 weeks.

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"For those who knew my father, you know what a great man he was, always smiling, always humble, always happy, despite the fact in his later years he bravely fought prostrate cancer, he never moaned and done his best to put a brave smile on.

"His love for his family is what he will be remembered for to all of us, the ultimate family man, wanting to spend every woken minute with his 10 grandkids and children was his only daily thought pattern and request, was that to be with them, the ultimate family man."