What was Derek Acorah’s cause of death, how old was he and what has his wife said?
DEREK Acorah, the Most Haunted star and TV personality, died aged 69 after a short illness.
But what was his cause of death, did he have any children, and what has his family said?
What was Derek Acorah's cause of death?
The self-styled spiritual medium has been a well-known British television personality over the last three decades, and even appeared in the 2017 series of Celebrity Big Brother.
However, just a few days into the new year, his wife Gwen took to social media to announce Derek's death, saying he passed away "after a very brief illness."
She told SunOnline that Derek passed away after a short battle with pneumonia, which led to a sepsis infection.
She said: "He was taken really quickly. It was pneumonia which got him in the end.
"He developed sepsis and was in intensive care. I'm heartbroken to have lost him.
"It's devastating that's he's gone."
Days before his death, Derek told his online followers that he was suffering from an "awful flu bug."
Gwen also said that the TV star was in a coma before he died.
On his official Facebook page just a few days before his death, Derek said: "Good morning everybody and I hope you’ve all had a spectacular celebration bringing in the new year and the new decade.
"I spent the time quietly at home with Gwen as we’ve both had the awful flu bug which has brought us down so low, hence the reason for my lack of live presence on facebook.
"I hope to be back within the next couple of days when I will be giving messages from spirit for the new year. "
What has Derek Acorah's wife said about his death?
In a Facebook tribute, Derek's devastated wife Gwen wrote: "Farewell my love! I will miss you forever!
"I’m devastated to announce that my beloved husband Derek has passed away after a very brief illness.
"Thank you so much to everybody who has supported me - I can never thank you enough."
Gwen, who was married to the reality star for 24 years, also suggested that her husband had been bullied by trolls in the weeks before his death.
She wrote: "To the vile couple who hounded him for responses to their ridiculous campaign whilst he was in Intensive Care in a coma, I hope you have the decency to hang your heads in shame.
"I have things to deal with now but I won’t forget nor will I forgive what you have done!"
Gwen claimed that he suffered a barrage of mesages from a couple who "wanted his status."
She told SunOnline: "It's been going on for a while.
"They were just jealous of Derek and wanted his status."
Alongside his wife, others have taken to social media to bid farewell to the much-loved star.
Author Melinda Salisbury wrote: "Genuinely sad to hear Derek Acorah has died.
"I was (predictably) a huge fan of Most Haunted, back in the day - I even went to a couple of Most Haunted Live! shows. No matter your beliefs on ghosts, Derek was a hell of a showman."
Former Big Brother winner Luke Anderson tweeted his condolence.
Ghost hunter Lee Roberts posted: "Heartbroken to hear the news this morning that my dear friend @derek_acorah has passed away.
"Was one of the nicest guys in the paranormal industry, always working and opening doors for those that followed in his footsteps. I'll miss you Derek, RIP."
Did Derek Acorah have any children?
Derek and his second wife, Gwen, have been married since 1995.
They have two children together.
Born in Bootle, Merseyside, in 1950, Acorah featured in regular segments on 1996 TV show The Psychic Zone before becoming a contributor on spin-off show Psychic Livetime.
He shot to fame on Most Haunted and later went on to present Derek Acorah's Ghost Towns.
He also featured on Michael Jackson: The Search for His Spirit and attempted to reach out to the popstar's ghost.
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