BACK-FROM-THE-DEAD canoeist John Darwin has spoken of his desire to be reunited with his wife – on the day she was freed from prison.

Anne Darwin was released from Askham Grange, in York, yesterday after reaching the mid-point of her six-and-a-half-year sentence for defrauding insurance companies.

But as the 59-year-old former doctor’s receptionist went into hiding, her husband – who famously faked his death in March 2002 – vowed to win her back.

The 60-year-old former prison officer and teacher, who is living alone in Easington Colliery, County Durham, has told friends he wants to rekindle his 37-year marriage.

A source close to John Darwin told The Northern Echo: “I can tell you categorically that he definitely wants to get back with her. There is no question about it.

“He would have her back tomorrow and he is quite concerned about what happens to her when she comes out of prison.”

Mr Darwin was released from Moorland open prison, Doncaster, in January, after serving half of his six-year three-month sentence.

He admits writing love letters to other women while in prison but said he has no plans to make a future with any of them.

“It is a difficult situation for him but he has never not wanted to get back with Anne,” said the source.

“But he doesn’t know what is going to happen. I don’t think they have had any contact for a while.

“He is a strong person but he is under a lot of pressure.”

Mr Darwin was jailed in July 2008 after admitting faking his own death in an apparent canoeing accident to allow his wife to make fraudulent insurance and pension claims amounting to £250,000.

Mrs Darwin was jailed in July 2008 after being convicted of six counts of fraud and nine of money laundering.

For five years, even their sons, Mark and Anthony, believed their father had drowned off Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool.

In reality, Mrs Darwin picked him up shortly afterwards near the North Gare and drove him to Durham railway station.

He later returned to the couple’s seafront home in Seaton Carew, where he lived secretly in a bedsit the couple owned next door.

He travelled the world under a false identity, and, in 2007, Mrs Darwin emigrated to Panama to join him.

His aunt, Margaret Burns, 83, of Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, said: “I had been wondering whether they would get back together now they’re both free.

“If they do, they’ll be trying to get to Panama where the money is.

“I don’t know how they will get there without a passport, though John managed to get one last time.”

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: “All offenders subject to probation supervision on release from prison have to adhere to a set of strict conditions.

“They are subject to recall to custody if they breach their conditions or their behaviour indicates that it is no longer safe for them to remain in the community.”