Blackpool war hero's love story makes TV's Holly weep

Sergeant Rick Clement, from Marton, was speaking with his girlfriend Corporal Hannah Campbell on ITV’s This Morning programme.

Rick, who was injured by a buried Taliban bomb in 2010 while serving with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment in Afghanistan, told presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield how he and Hannah, who was injured in Iraq by a mortar attack, were treated on the same ward.

Their story had host Holly in tears as she heard how each of them regarded the other as their “best friend” and how Hannah could not live her life they way she does without Rick.

Rick said that although they did not meet in Selly Oak hospital their parents talked together as each was being treated for their extensive injuries, as revealed in The Gazette. Hannah said: “I was there having my leg amputated, I had got sepsis and was on a life support.”

They did meet afterwards at the army rehabilitation centre at Headley Court where they became friends, but it was only later they got together when Rick read her book on holiday and realised they were both at Selly Oak at the same time.

Rick said: “I e-mailed her and it went from there. We were supposed to meet up a week later but we brought it forward.”

Rick told how he supports Hannah with her post traumatic stress disorder she suffers with and how they both understand the issues that disabled ex-servicemen have to deal with.

He said: “We get on really well and were already best friends. I have been in other relationships were were nice but Hannah is more than that because we are best friends. We have both been through so much we can appreciate each other.” Hannah said: “He is my best friend and he makes me so, so happy.”

They said they were both working with charities linked to the services.