Delia Smith, 85, makes heartbreaking end-of-life admission after husband's death

Delia Smith has paid a moving tribute to her husband and the hospice team who looked after him in the final weeks of his life

Delia Smith has made an end-of-life admission following the tragic death of her husband (Image: Getty)

Legendary television chef Delia Smith has made a major admission about the end of her life, just weeks after the death of her husband Michael Wynn Jones at the age of 85. Delia, also 85, lost her husband following a health battle that ended with his passing on September 28.

Delia and Michael tied the knot 55 years ago in 1971 and together the saw their beloved Norwich City Football Club, where Wynn Jones was a majority shareholder for 28 years, ascend through the football ranks to reach the Premier League. Now, in an interview with journalist Amol Rajan, Delia has opened up about Wynn Jones’ final weeks and how the sad loss has caused her to reflect on her own mortality.

Delia was speaking following the death of her husband Michael Wynn-Jones (Image: Getty)

Discussing her late-husband's final few months, she told the former host of BBC BBC Radio 4's Today programme: “He was ill, very ill for the last, sort of, six weeks of his life, he was very, very ill. I was with him the whole time, night and day, all the time.”

When asked how she, specifically, was doing, Delia said: “First of all, I’m filled with gratitude. I mean, 55 years of a marriage, that was so incredible. I mean, we had such a ball together. We did so many things. We had a lovely life together.

“And we’re 85 and you’re sort of thinking, well, you know, our lives are coming to an end anyway. But obviously, I’ve got to learn how to be half a whole. That’s going to be hard after 55 years.”

Delia previously shared on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island discs that she and Wynn Jones had fallen in love over their shared love of football and food. During the same interview with Amol, Delia took a moment to pay tribute to the hospice team who looked after her husband. She said: “We had everything. We had everything we needed night and day.”

Delia was subsequently asked what had been the secret to her and Wynn Jones’ multi-decade marriage. She said: “I think if you both like football it helps. Cricket and football were his life.”

It is in the world of football that Wynn Jones’ loss has been keenly felt, with Norwich City FC releasing a statement in tribute to his work. They said:"Everyone at Norwich City is deeply saddened by the passing of our honorary life president, Michael Wynn Jones. Michael died peacefully at home on Monday morning, aged 85.

"He will be greatly missed. His family are grateful for the wonderful care provided by the community nursing team at St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich.

"Our deepest condolences are with Delia and Tom, and with all of Michael's family, friends and loved ones. At the family's request, we ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult time."