A terminally ill Star Wars fan, who was granted his dying wish to see the new The Force Awakens film before it is released in cinemas, has died.

Daniel Fleetwood, 32, from Texas, had an aggressive form of cancer that had spread to 90% of his lungs. He had been given just two months to live.



His wife, Ashley, confirmed his death in a Facebook post in the early hours of Tuesday, writing: “Daniel put up an amazing fight to the very end. He is now one with God and with the force.”



Ashley’s post on Facebook. Photograph: Ashley Fleetwood Facebook

“He passed in his sleep and in peace. He will always be my idol and my hero,” wrote Ashley.

She ended the message with a photo of the couple together, wearing #forcefordaniel T-shirts, and wrote: “Rest in peace my love. This was the last selfie we ever took together.‪”

Fleetwood’s final request to see The Force Awakens had captured the hearts of fellow Star Wars fans and became a viral social media campaign, with thousands using the hashtag #forcefordaniel to help grant his wish.

#forcefordaniel help my man get his last wish, to see a screening of Star Wars before cancer takes him. @bad_robot pic.twitter.com/XCuYD0KlpY — Ashley Fleetwood (@pandorashley) October 29, 2015

The campaign even garnered the support of Star Wars actors Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and newcomer John Boyega.



After her husband watched the new Star Wars film, out on general release on 18 December, Ashley Fleetwood wrote: “Daniel just finished watching an unfinished version of Star Wars: The Force Awakens!!!

“We would like to thank the awesomely talented [director] JJ Abrams for calling us yesterday to tell us Daniel was getting his wish granted.”

Disney confirmed that the screening for Fleetwood had taken place last Thursday and that “all involved were happy to be able to make it happen”.

Hamill tweeted on Thursday that he was “elated” that Fleetwood had been able to see the film.

I just read this and am elated for Daniel & his family! Thanks to the powers-that-be for making his dream come true. https://t.co/ImiAdyBxf8 — Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) November 5, 2015

#ForceForDaniel glad you got to see the movie more importantly that you slept in peace. God bless you man x x you inspire me xx — John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) November 10, 2015

Fleetwood was also visited by the 501st Legion’s Star Garrison, a volunteer worldwide Star Wars fanclub, who presented the avid Star Wars fan with memorabilia from the films, and who also inducted him into the club as an honorary member.

Fleetwood and his wife have been documenting his health on social media, and in September he posted an update saying he had been given up to two months to live.



“If I got to see the movie, I might actually die from happiness,” Fleetwood had told People magazine. “Growing up, I would watch the movies over and over and analyse every little detail. I hope I get to see what happens.”

Fleetwood had been a fan since seeing the early films as a child with his father. He later camped out to be one of the first to watch the prequels to the original series.

Fleetwood’s Facebook page was flooded with messages of support. “My deepest condolences. He’s truly a Jedi up above now,” one supporter wrote.

Others tweeted:

