The wife of a cruise ship couple who both tested positive for coronavirus has spoken out about how she thought she would lose her husband from it.
Sally Abel appeared on Good Morning Britain today with her hubby David - both of whom have recovered - to talk about their ordeal.
The couple contracted COVID-19 on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship and were treated in Japan.
David said: “It came as a mighty shock when we tested positive.”
After getting the news, in just three days David's health deteriorated quickly.
He said: “I didn’t realise it at the time but in those three days my health did go down rapidly.”
Sally explained: “I didn’t think he was coming home. They diagnosed him with acute pneumonia and he was basically giving up.
“I stayed up most the night watching him breathing because I didn't think he was coming back.”
David then praised the UK Foreign Office for how they have supported their families through the ordeal, and branded the British Embassy in Tokyo as “fantastic”.
The pair first appeared on the ITV show last month and David became an instant hit with viewers when he took a swipe at absent host Piers Morgan.
As the interview with Susanna Reid - who is currently self isolating - and Ben Shephard came to an end, David said: “Lovely to talk to you… and I’m so glad it wasn’t Piers.”
Laughing, Susanna was forced to defend her colleague, saying: “Do you know what? In real life, he’s actually quite a nice person.”
So you can imagine that upon the couple’s return today, Piers had something to say about it.
“Last time he said he was glad I wasn’t doing the interview,” he said.
“You’re about to get your worst nightmare come true.”
Showing he still has his mischievous side, David said: “Piers, I love you,”
Viewers sent well wishes to the couple on Twitter.
One said: “So good to see David & Sally home safe and well on @GMB this morning.”
A second said: Funnily enough I wondered how David & Sally Abel were @GMB Lovely to see them back with their family.”
Another said: “So lovely to see both David & Sally Abel safe & well.”
GMB airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
