Wolverhampton teenage carer stars with Gok Wan

A teenager from Wolverhampton who helped care for his father for more than eight years is the latest star of new TV show Gok's Teens.

Michael Watson, aged 13, will feature on the Channel 4 show next week as part of an episode dedicated to looking at the lives of young carers.

The Deansfield Community School pupil, along with his 18-year-old brother Ben, had been helping to take care of his father Ian who was struck down with severe MS eight years ago. They helped with daily tasks such as puréeing his food and putting up his drip.

The show was filmed in April last year and also featured Wolverhampton-based young carers' support group Spurgeons. Sadly, Mr Watson died in October so never got the chance to see it aired.

"Gok came round to our house to see what young carers do, and he visited a few others as well to see what's different about their lives," said Michael, of Rowlands Avenue, Moseley, Wolverhampton.

"I think the programme will be good as it will show other young carers that there are others out there and there is support available for them. It was great meeting Gok as well – he was really nice, like the person next door instead of a celebrity."

His mother Kate, 46, said she was "very proud" of her sons. "We couldn't have got through it without all of us sticking together."

The show will air on Tuesday at 8pm.