TEENAGE carer Lizzie has told how ‘understanding and supportive’ soap actor Ross Kemp was when he came to stay at her Blackburn home.

The TV hardman, who played Grant Mitchell in EastEnders, spent a day and night at the 16-year-old ‘s family house to experience first-hand how looking after her mother Donna and her 12-year-old brother Sam impacts on her life from the moment she wakes.

Lizzie said: “The whole experience was enjoyable, Ross was really understanding and supportive. I’m really looking forward to the documentary.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Lizzie and Ali

The actor-turned-documentary maker then visited six-year-old Ali’s family to see how the youngster helps his parents with his younger sister Zainab, aged five.

Ali’s mum Hanifa said: “It was a really good experience for all of us.

“We decided that more needed to be done to let people know there are kids like Ali out there who have to deal with this in their lives.

“Ross was very down to earth, friendly and easy to chat to – if anything, the whole filming process went too quickly!

“We wanted Ali to have this chance to get some recognition for the amazing job he does and we can’t wait until he’s older and watches it back. He’s so protective of his sister and he makes us so proud every day.”

Mr Kemp was in Blackburn for the second of his Ross Kemp ‘Living With…’ documentaries’ where he spends time with people facing challenging circumstances. It will be broadcast on ITV at 7.30pm tonight.

Lizzie and Ali are both supported by the Young Carers Service run by Child Action Northwest.

Its chief executive Sue Cotton said: “Filming ‘Living With… ‘ has been a fantastic opportunity to highlight the amazing job young carers are doing across the country, very often without thinking twice about it.

“We hope the documentary will encourage ‘hidden carers’ to come out of hiding and know they’re not alone. There’s always someone there to listen, support and help at CANW.”

CANW works with Blackburn with Darwen Council to deliver the service.

The borough’s children’s services boss Cllr Maureen Bateson said: “The ITV team were keen to come here and work with our services to help raise awareness of the plight of young carers and the issues affecting families and their children.

“We know that more needs to be done to help families and young people who are struggling.”