A COVID sceptic dad-to-be and former Bad Lads' Army contestant has died after refusing a jab.

       Marcus Birks, 40, was hospitalised in the intensive care unit at Royal Stoke University Hospital earlier this month after catching Covid. He died on Friday.

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       Marcus Birks' family said they had been left 'shattered' Credit: BPM 4

       He pleaded with people to get the vaccine while sick in hospital Credit: BBC

       Mr Birks' pregnant wife Lis said his family had been left "shattered" by his death.

       She wrote on Facebook: "The pain I feel writing this is unbearable, my heart has been ripped out, my soul and world completely and utterly shattered.

       "I made him a promise that I will tell our baby boy every day how much he loves him, how special he is and how he would have been/is the best dad a son could ever wish for.

       Heartbroken Mrs Birks said Marcus had been her best friend and soulmate.

       Marcus, who worked as a musician, once appeared on ITV's Bad Lads' Army and Popstars: The Rivals.

       Earlier this month, Mr Birks pleaded with people to get the Covid vaccine despite having turned it down himself.

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       He told the BBC: "If you haven't been ill, you don't think you're going to get ill, so you listen to the [anti-vaccine] stuff.

       "When you feel like you can't get enough breath, it's the scariest feeling in the world."

       He said his symptoms started with flu-like feelings before they steadily got worse.

       When he started suffering breathing difficulties he was taken to hospital.

       He said from hospital: "First thing I am going tell all my family to do is get the vaccine and anybody I see."

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       Marcus Birks (pictured with wife Lis) died from Covid after turning down the jab Credit: Facebook 4

       Marcus Birks with the medal he received after appearing on ITV's Bad Lads Army Credit: Staffordshire Sentinel

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