It was described by Roger Stotesbury and his wife as ‘middle-aged gap year’, a once-in-a-lifetime trip undertaken when they were finally free to fully enjoy what the world has to offer.

Mr Stotesbury had even adopted a tongue in cheek motto for their adventure: ‘To die young as late as possible.’

But the dream turned to tragedy last week when Mr Stotesbury, 58, plunged to his death from an ancient temple in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh after taking photographs.

His wife Hilary was standing just a few feet away when the accident took place, apparently after Mr Stotesbury had been taking photographs while standing on a ledge 30ft from the ground.

A family friend told the Telegraph: "Roger had taken photographs of the view and the temple and had put his iPad down when the accident happened. It is absolutely tragic.

"Roger and Hilary were completely in love with each other, like no other couple I know. Their children are distraught at what's happened."

Police said Mr Stotesbury, a documentary film maker from Buckingham, was standing on the edge of a terrace at Lakshmi Temple, in Orchha, on Friday when he suddenly slipped and fell.