The grieving widow of a man whose death is under investigation has paid tribute to her “best friend” and“gentle giant”.

Sarah Fleming, speaking after the funeral of her husband Stewart, described him as a loving family man who she liked to tease over his train-spotting hobby.

The Kings Cross signalman, from Rainham, was also an Arsenal fan and mourners at his packed funeral, held last Monday, all wore the red and white of his team.

Mrs Fleming, laughing, said his loves were “trains, food, kids, then me, in that order.”

She said: “I loved him very much, he was my best friend.

“He was a family man who loved his job, his work was his life, apart from me and the children.

“He enjoyed trying new things, new experiences, paragliding, swimming with dolphins. He loved his children, loved playing with them when he was home.

“I remember his sense of humour and he had a really loud laugh, really, really loud. He didn’t need to use the telephone, I’m sure they could always hear him.

“He got on with everyone, he never had enemies, he used to like meeting people, he just made friends, that’s what he did.”

Stewart died in a London hospital on Saturday, December 27, after contracting a mystery virus which attacked his heart.

He waited a total of eight hours to see a doctor in A&E at Medway Maritime Hospital, even though he had a letter from his GP asking he be admitted immediately.

Mrs Fleming said: “They say sympathy does make it easier, but sometimes it also makes it very hard. Sometimes people just want to tell me how sorry they feel which makes me feel really bad because we shouldn’t really be here.

“I try very hard for my children. I’m struggling. I’m still waiting for him to come home.”