Blackpool family left star in awe after appearing on Michael McIntyre's Big Show on ITV
A Blackpool family appeared on prime time TV on Saturday after comedian Michael McIntyre was blown away by their story.
Ben Cross, 43, and his two sons, Charlie, 14, and Dexter, 11, were featured in a heart-warming segment of Michael McIntyre's Big Show when viewers saw them enjoying a surprise wrestling treat.
Views were deeply moved by the episode, which came about after the entertainer heard how Ben had raised an amazing £23,000 for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital over the past 10 years.
And Ben has a special reason forhis endeavours - 10 years ago the hospital saved son Charlie’s life when he was rushed in with a life-threatening condition.
Charlie’s health battle
The youngster, who was aged just four at the time, became ill when a bout of chickenpox turned serious and he ended up with a flesh eating virus which very nearly proved fatal.
Ben, who is married to Nicola and lives near Blackpool's Stanley Park, said: “We rushed him to Blackpool Victoria and thankfully the doctor spotted how serious it was and said we needed to get to Manchester with no time to waste!
“We ended up going to Manchester in the middle of the night and they were able to remove the infected skin before it spread.
“It was so serious that they told us before the operation that Charlie was very weak and might not make it.
“But they were amazing and he did - and now he's 14 and doing really well. If it hadn't been for the brilliant surgeon at Manchester - and the quick-thinking doctor at Blackpool Vic - Charlie wouldn't be here today”
The dad-of two was so grateful he’s been on a ceaseless fundraising quest ever since, with various money raising ventures.
His efforts have included helping the Manchester hospital to raise £10,000 for its MediCinema Appeal, which aims to establish a fully accessible 50-seat hospital cinema at no cost to the NHS, bringing the magic of the big screen to thousands of patients across Manchester.
Wrestling treat filmed
Producers of the Big Show told Michel McIntyre about the family after hearing how Ben and the boys raised money for the hospital by taking part in a wrestling show at their local Rascals Academy in Blackpool, run by Ross Goodwin
So the Cross family, along with their friends, were invited to the AO Arena under the pretence that they had won VIP tickets to a wrestling event.
Once inside the arena, the boys had an unforgettable experience as they met professional wrestlers, tried on wrestling costumes and were invited on stage during the show. There, they were introduced to a debut wrestling duo known as ‘The Manchester Maniacs’., who won the match to huge applause from the packed venue. However It turned out that they were none other than Michael McIntyre and Ben.
The arena surprise was filmed in August, before further filming took place at the family’s home and at a live recording of the show in October.
And all this was finally screened to the nation on Saturday night (24th January).
During the segment, £10,000 was donated to the hospital’s MediCinema Appeal by the show and WWE, courtesy of the production company Hungry McBear.
Ben added : “The whole thing was an unforgettable experience and the two boys loved it. We’re so grateful to everyone for making it special - including Michael.”
To find ut mre about the MediCinema Appeal, visit https://mftcharity.org.uk/campaigns/medicinema/