Countryfile presenter Joe Crowley has revealed the devastating impact of losing his father to blood cancer when he was just 15 years old.
The 44-year-old, who joined the BBC show in 2014 and is also known for his environmental investigations on Panorama and ITV's Tonight, channelled his grief into helping others by becoming an ambassador for the Anthony Nolan charity, which matches stem cell donors with blood cancer patients needing potentially life-saving transplants.
'It will never be the same again'
Reflecting on his father's passing during an appearance on BBC's Anthony Nolan Storytellers, Joe admitted he knew his life would never be the same.
"When you lose someone you love from blood cancer, it is just devastating, and it will never be the same again," he said.
"But we have learned to cope, and maybe we're stronger for it."
Joe has continued to support the charity by raising awareness of its work and taking part in fundraising efforts, including running a marathon to raise vital funds.
Fatherhood and a young guest
Joe prefers to keep his private life away from the spotlight, but it is known that he has a son named Alfie. He previously spoke about the day Alfie was born, highlighting what a joyous occasion it was, but also how difficult it was without one of the most important people in his life by his side.
"Becoming a parent for the first time is the happiest day of your life, but with all of the happy days, they are also the saddest. You are missing that person in this case, my father, Alfie's grandfather who would have loved Alfie," he said.
In a recent episode of Countryfile, Joe was joined by 12-year-old Tadiwa, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour just months after his first birthday. His mum explained that one doctor suggested he have an MRI after spotting one of his eyes was squinted and she said "that scan changed everything."
He then spent nine gruelling years undergoing treatment, with his father revealing that he's not had longer than six months rest between them. Tadiwa, from Northamptonshire, now lives with partial sight.
"It's a case of, if I can't see something, I will tell you, but I can see for quite a distance then - no," he told Joe.
Asked about his experience while undergoing treatment, Tadiwa explained: "I've gone through a lot. The side effects were gruesome and they were brutal and I feel like no child should ever have to deal with that. I did not want to go outside. I didn't want to play or do anything because I was scared people would be scared of me."
"It was like people found me a bit alien or something because the treatment affected my face so much. Even now people say not really nice things, and that's quite upsetting, you know, to hear."
