Couple marry at Stoke Hospital five days before terminally-ill wife dies

A grieving husband has told how his ‘whole heart has been ripped out’ after his terminally-ill wife died just five days after their hospital wedding.

David Reader and Amanda Littleton had been due to tie the knot on Sunday, October 10 and celebrate their 18 years together at The Three Horseshoes, in Blackshaw Moor, near Leek.But 58-year-old mum-of-two Amanda was diagnosed with terminal cancer in her kidneys, bowel, ovaries and stomach lining after having blood tests and a scan in July this year.The Cheddleton couple - who met online in 2003 and moved in together the following year - were forever grateful that they managed to get married at the Royal Stoke University Hospital late last month.

Now David has led tributes to his wife. A private funeral has yet to be arranged.The 54-year-old said: “We were destroyed when she got the diagnosis. She had been telling her GP since last year that there was something wrong and they kept prescribing her a hormone treatment.“It was not until the end of July when they gave her a blood test and scan that they found out she was really poorly.”Staff at the Royal Stoke’s emergency department arranged for David and Amanda to get married in the hospital - due to her poor health.The couple were surrounded by their family - including Amanda’s daughter, Carla, and two grandchildren - as they read their vows on September 24.Sadly, Amanda - who worked as a unit manager in a care home - lost her cancer fight and died on September 29.Husband David added: “She died in my arms. It was the worst day of my life. I will miss so much about her. She was witty, caring and loving. She always looked after me and gave me the best 18 years of my life.

The pair met at the Potteries in Stoke on Trent. “My whole heart has been ripped out now she is gone. She was my best friend and soulmate.“We want to thank everybody who has shown concern and thank the hospital for sorting the wedding out for us.”