Living wake host dies before wake

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/wiltshire/6420475.stm

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A Wiltshire man who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and was planning to host his own living wake has died.

Andy Fitchett, from Wroughton, was planning a 'final fling' to say goodbye to his friends and family at Swindon Town Football Club on 17 March.

He told BBC News in February that he had wanted to organise his own wake so that he could thank people for being a part of his life.

The party, with a disco and a charity auction, will take place as planned.

Friend and BBC Radio Wiltshire presenter Sandy Martin, said: "It'll be strange but I think now we're all a bit raw and still reflecting back on the shock of him going because no-one expected it to be so sudden.

"In fact, I was just joking with him the other night saying, 'look, you're looking so well - we've never seen you look so good. Andy you could keep going mate - you could be having 'fling two' next year.'"

He said Mr Fitchett was planning on doing a three-minute stand-up routine on his radio show for Comic Relief.

Mr Fitchett died at the weekend. Doctors had given him until May to live.