BBC Hospital left viewers in tears tonight over a man's harrowing final words before he died in an operation.
In the devastating episode Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, an 81-year-old awaited surgery after a heart attack left a hole in his heart.
Joe, a retired painter and decorator, was an emergency case and had waited three weeks to have surgery while a temporary balloon pump kept him alive.
Consultant Cardiologist Dr Suneil Aggarwal told Joe that there was a 10-20% he would not make it and even if they were successful it was 50/50 as to if he would leave in a good state.
Joe said: "They've all been very kind and pushed the boat out. Well chuffed. I'll be even more chuffed on Saturday if I can get out of bed. Fingers crossed. I'm pretty sure they feel quite hopeful."
Nervous Joe was so worried that he asked his wife and family not to come to hospital with him.
Looking at photos of his loved ones, Joe said: "As you lay here in this situation, every human being at all would have to think about their own life. What they've done. Don't reflect on what you've done wrong, just be youself.
"I want to get through this as I have a lot of people who love me and I love them. It's important I battle on.
"I'm lucky enough to say I've had and lived a good enough sort of life and I don't want to lose it so I keep battling and hope for the best."
On the day of his operation, Joe said: "You can say a few hours from now it's one way or the other. Please god it goes the right way.
I've got to the stage now where this is it, it's D-Day. This is the moment."
Looking at photos and balloons from his family as he was wheeled into the operating room, Joe said: "Say t'rah to my family."
There were complications as the surgeons discovered that Joe's heart was more damaged than expected.
Joe's blood pressure dropped dramatically and his heart was not able to pump blood around his body.
Dr Aggarwal confessed it was an "unrecoverable position" and the team decided they would have to stop.
Hospital viewers took to Twitter after watching the heartbreaking episode.
One viewer said: "The staff are amazing - so skilled and dedicated. So sad that Joe did not make it Sincere Condolences to his family"
"Just cried my eyes out watching #hospital. Nothing but admiration for the surgeons and the anaethetist is just an absolute hero. Stress on another level but calm and compassionate at all times. RIP Joe," added another.
A third said: "God I love #hospital just makes me realize what angels work in the NHS. Makes me miss working there so much!"
"So difficult to watch; the team worked so hard to save that lovely man. Seeing the effect it has on them is humbling," said a fourth.
*Hospital airs Thursdays on BBC Two at 9pm
