Branson tells of baby loss grief

Sir Richard Branson has spoken about the loss of his first daughter, who died when she was just a few days old in 1979.

The Virgin tycoon described the experience as "horrendous" and said that it was an experience that his wife, Joan, has never fully come to terms with.

Clare Smith was born three months prematurely and died in a hospital incubator after being born at just 25 weeks.

Speaking to Mail On Sunday columnist Piers Morgan for an interview to be broadcast on ITV1 next Sunday, Branson said: "We were hoping and praying that the hospital would keep her alive, but it wasn't to be."

The couple, who have been together for 32 years, have since had two more children named Holly and Sam.

"The mending process takes time and it didn't really start until Holly was born 18 months later...but I suspect for the mother it's never completely completed," said the 58-year-old entrepreneur.

Sir Richard, who also speaks about his thirst for risk in Piers Morgan’s Life Stories: Sir Richard Branson, was recently held up as "inspirational" by actress Charlize Theron.

She said: "I think we want to surround ourselves with people who inspire you and push you, and this guy does that on a level that is out of control."