PERSONAL finance guru Alan Steel has died from Covid hours after being put on a ventilator and telling his friends "fingers crossed I make it."

       The anti-vaxxer, 74, was hospitalised with the virus after battling Covid for a month - but sadly passed away last Wednesday.

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       Finance guru Alan Steel has died from Covid hours after being put on a ventilator Credit: alan steel

       Mr Steel often retweeted anti-vaccine views on Twitter, and just days before he fell ill he was reposting misinformation about the jab.

       As well as being against the Covid vaccine, he was also anti-masks and anti-lockdowns, and would tell his friends to watch videos on how "it's not a pandemic of the unvaccinated."

       Mr Steel was best known in his industry for being the first to expose the problems at Equitable Life - where the insurer's policyholders lost billions of pounds in savings.

       He quickly gained a reputation in the financial services sector and managed his own firm with more than ￡1 billion worth of client assets.

       Mr Steel called himself a "natural contrarian" and regularly made his opinions clear in the press.

       When asked what his life was like outside financial services, he said: "Family, music, my moothie [harmonica], Ibiza, red wine and Oliphant's pies."

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       In a solemn message last month, he tweeted: "You may wonder why I've been so quiet. For the best part of two weeks, I fought a losing battle with Covid.

       "Been on oxygen in hospital since. Moving to intensive care today. This is one nasty illness. Fingers crossed I make it through."

       Steve Forbes, managing director of Alan Steel Asset Management, yesterday said: "He was a one-off and a genius, of that there is certainly no doubt, but he was also a great visionary.

       "He is now with his beloved and wise Grannie McKay and will have a new audience for his multitude of jokes and stories.

       "I also know the hole that exists in our lives just now as a result of his passing will be filled with joyous memories in time."

       Close friend John Allison added: "Alan always remained totally true to his working-class upbringing, but unknown to most, he was also a significant financial benefactor and behind the scenes, he gave great financial support to many local institutions and events.

       "The financial services industry is traditionally very light on characters and legends – Alan Steel may sadly prove to be the last of them."

       He leaves behind his wife Fran and two children - Malcolm and Catherine.

       Anti-vaxxer finance guru Alan Steel discuss his background as an investor

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