This Morning hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley celebrated a special guest on Thursday as they welcomed young cancer campaigner Florrie Bark to the show via video link. Florrie, who won the Child of Courage award at the 2024 Pride of Britain Awards, recently underwent a successful lung transplant after being on a waiting list.
Florrie was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia at the age of five in 2022. She underwent intensive chemotherapy and a life-saving bone-marrow transplant before the lung transplant. Speaking to the presenters, Florrie and her mother Stacey shared a health update, with Florrie saying she felt well after returning home from Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Recalling the moment she learned she would receive a lung transplant, Florrie said: 'It was amazing. Mummy was crying, daddy and mummy were both crying. I was just like, yes!' She added that she packed her outfits and wore a tiara in the ambulance. Her mother Stacey said: 'It’s like having a newborn again... we celebrate every win, every little step she’s taking.'
Florrie expressed excitement about returning to school for a few days a week, saying: 'I might be able to go to school and expand my bubble of people in about two to three months.' She also looked forward to seeing her cousins indoors, as previously she could only see them outside.
Viewers hailed Florrie as 'inspirational' and a 'legend'. One wrote: 'What an absolute Angel is Florrie beautiful girl,' while another said: 'Florrie is such an inspiration, makes me realise any problems I have are nothing compared to what she’s been through.'
