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Brave Melissa meets television favourites

Lisa Woodhouse
7/12/2005

DESPITE undergoing a major operation to separate her fingers, brave Melissa Craven got to meet her favourite television duo backstage during rehearsals for Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.

Melissa, nine, from Talbot Street, Hazel Grove, suffers from Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) - a rare genetic skin blistering disease which causes the skin to blister at the slightest knock or rub, causing painful, open wounds.

The youngster, an ambassador for the Debra Charity, a medical research charity working on behalf of people living with EB, was delighted when she heard about the visit to the London studio shortly after undergoing her third operation to separate her fused fingers.

The courageous girl travelled to the studio with parents Gill and Daniel to meet the Geordie lads.

When they arrived, Melissa was given the opportunity to watch rehearsals for the show and then go backstage for her very own tour.

As a memento of the day, Ant and Dec signed a copy of their latest DVD and book for Melissa.

Mum Gill said: "She watches Ant and Dec all the time and she loves Saturday Night Takeaway. They're just the same in real life as they are on television. They are lovely.

"When she met Ant and Dec they were asking her what she wanted for Christmas. Melissa said that she wanted a mobile phone but her dream had come true because she had got to meet them.

"They were both very touched."

Anyone that would like to find out more about EB can contact regional fundraiser Tony Eckersall on 286 5340, or send a cheque made payable to Debra Charity to 10 Hambleton Road, Heald Green, Stockport, SK8 3DW.