Dame Zandra Rhodes talks about boyfriend's illness in sad footage before death

Dame Zandra Rhodes spoke about boyfriend Salah Hassanein in the latest Real Marigold Hotel, filmed before his death in June last year.

The veteran film producer died in California at the age of 98.

Zandra, now 79, says in the clip that Salah had been taken into hospital, and he wasn't eating.

A voiceover tells us that he had been ill for some time.

"He has been brought home because they couldn't do anything more for him," she tells.

She adds: "[Salah's] in a state of being almost not all there.

"He looks like he might not last and that's terrifying, but there's nothing I can do about it."

Zandra announced she would be leaving (BBC)

The voiceover reveals that Zandra opted to return home, leaving the other celebs in the hotel.

Fashion designer Zandra opened up to the Mirror about her heartache at Salah's death.

"In the beginning my boyfriend used to come here a lot," she recalled in her London skyline flat, "But he was older than me.

Salah died aged 98 (collect)

"He died just after his 98th birthday, so he didn't come here much recently."

She added: "Technically he died on June 7th but he wanted to be buried in a military cemetery in America but they were busy so we had to wait for a space.

"His Egyptian family always come over in July, so we were able to keep his body until we finally got a slot - we barely got half an hour to have his funeral!"

He died just after his 98th birthday (Brendan Beirne/REX)

Zandra opened up about life without her partner (Phil Harris/Daily Mirror)

Fans tweeted their condolences.

One penned: "Aw sorry about Zandra's partner. #RealMarigoldHotel."

Another was sorry to see her leave, writing: "Zandra Rhodes, colourful in appearance and personality. She seemed to be a calming person in the group and less needy when it came to grabbing camera time. #RealMarigoldHotel."

She's made some high profile friends during her career (Getty)

Zandra has mixed in some illustrious circles during her long and prestigious career - including royal ones.

"Diana was very nice and seemed very shy," she dished, "She would pay a surprise visit with her friend Sarah and try a dress on in my shop.

"I would be slaving away in the factory, but I would be called in and asked to make up the real one with her measurements or make it in another colour.

"Then I would go to the Palace to fit it."