The death of a centenarian with pneumonia is sadly no surprise, with or without COVID. Yet from the moment I heard he was in hospital I had a horrible sick feeling and an anxious few hours awaiting the inevitable bad news. I hoped he would pull through however unlikely that was as an outcome. I think this shows the measure of the man.
He had a remarkable final year which few of his generation could have expected. I hope the end was peaceful, all any of us can ever really hope for.
RIP, Sir.