A DEVOTED husband died from a “broken heart” just over a week after his wife passed away.

Steve and Sue Meadowcroft, who were both in their early fifties, died just nine days apart in the run-up to Christmas.

Friends of the fun-loving couple, who lived in South-bourne, said Steve doted on his wife and was left devastated when she died two weeks before Christmas.

Simon Peckham, who had known the couple since the early 1980s, said they were never apart.

“Steve died from a broken heart,” he said.

“He passed away just a week after Sue. I guess he just couldn’t bear to live without her. They were inseparable.

“Sue was always stood by his side.”

Following a long-term illness Sue, 52, died on December 13 and former Teddy Boy Steve, 54, died unexpectedly on December 22.

Mr Peckham said: “Steve was very easy going and Sue was really bubbly. They were both lovely.”

The couple, who had been married for more than 25 years, shared a love for rock ‘n’ roll music and travelled around the country to watch bands with friends.

Fellow rock ‘n’ roll fan Nigel Fry said the couple were very popular.

“I used to take them up and down the country to gigs,” he said.

“Everyone loved them. They were very fun-loving and larger than life.

“Even when Sue was in hospital she never lost her sense of humour.

“They really will be missed.”

Friends of Steve, who worked as a security guard and caretaker at Bourne-mouth and Poole College, said he died due to a blood clot.

Sue had been ill for several months after falling into a diabetic coma.

A joint service for the couple is being held at Bournemouth Crematorium on Tuesday at 1pm.