A nightclub boss who shared anti-vaccination posts on social media has died of coronavirus, according to reports.
The family of David Parker, 56, the manager of Club Louis in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, is now said to be urging people to get the jab after he died in hospital.
According to The Sun, he had posted Facebook comments criticising the COVID-19 vaccine which he claimed was “experimental”.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The club confirmed he died on Monday in Darlington Memorial Hospital, in the North East.
He reportedly had no underlying health conditions and was fit before he fell ill with the virus.
Mr Parker’s friend Steve Wignall, 59, told The Sun: “His family are devastated, they were very close and loved each other dearly.
“But despite their terrible loss they would like it to be known that they’re encouraging everyone to please get vaccinated because they don’t want others to suffer as they are now.”
Writing on Facebook, Club Louis said: “It is with enormous regret that we have to announce the passing of our manager, David Parker. He was being treated for the effects of COVID in Darlington Memorial Hospital, but lost his struggle this afternoon.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
“On behalf of the whole Louis Family, we offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends, he will be sorely missed.
“A pragmatic man, David would want the show to go on, so we remain open with the family’s agreement. RIP David, Mr LOUIS.”
Mr Parker had shared anti-vax content and memes online in recent months, including one Facebook post which contained a list of reasons not to get the jab.
Underneath this post a woman called Kelly Wreglesworth wrote: “RIP Uncle David, if you’d had the vaccine it could have saved you.”
On Thursday Sky News spoke to Jenny McCann whose fit and healthy twin brother John Eyers, who had refused the vaccine, died from COVID-19 last week.
She said the 42-year-old had “bought into” misinformation surrounding the safety of coronavirus jabs and didn’t believe he would die from the virus.
However, she said he had been “beating himself up” over his decision not to get vaccinated during his final days.