High Peak’s Edwina Currie describes late husband as a "gallant gentleman”

Currie told how the couple “had 20 great years” after meeting in 1999 when she interviewed the former Met Police detective about gang violence on BBC Radio 5 Live.

They were married two years later.

The former South Derbyshire MP and junior health minister told the BBC how John - who she described as having “a wonderful sense of humour” and “slightly naughty” - died after battling cancer for many years.

She said: “He was a heavy smoker and inevitably most people who smoke get an illness and the worst of those is cancer.

"He had three different bouts of three different cancers. Every time he came out of hospital he left bits behind.

"Eventually the cancer came back, as cancer does, and this time it was in his bones and his brain."

Mrs Currie, president of High Peak Conservative Association, said the pair had their first date after she asked her producer to pass John her number.

She added: "I got there early and he turned up in a dark blue suit and a Flying Squad tie. I thought 'I wouldn't mind being arrested by you'."

The BBC wrote how John died a few weeks after deciding to bring his cancer treatment to an end.

Describing him she said: “He was fun - he made everybody smile.

“He had a wonderful sense of humour, slightly naughty and very old fashioned but in a gallant gentleman kind of way."

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.