Keith Chegwin surprises Monklands mum on TV

Mar 13 2013 by Ian Bunting, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Keith Chegwin and Anna Stratton and Harry Stratton

It’s not every day you get a knock on your door and television personality Keith Chegwin is standing on the other side.

But that is exactly what marvellous Chapelhall mum Anna Stratton experienced last Friday when she appeared on ITV’s Daybreak programme.

Anna received a visit from ‘Cheggers’ after being nominated for the TV show’s ‘Thanks Mum’ feature by her eldest son Harry.

Thirteen-year-old Harry put Anna forward for the early Mother’s Day treat for helping him cope with Spina Bifida, despite having a neuro muscular condition herself.

Harry said: “I would like to say thanks to my mum for everything she has done over the years and all the support she has given me during the tough times with me being in hospital.

“I have Spina Bifida and use a wheelchair all the time.

“In November, I was seriously ill and admitted to Yorkhill’s intensive care unit and even though my mum was in a lot of pain, she stayed by my side.

“She is a fantastic mum who I love very much and I would like to tell her that and say a big thanks to her.”

Anna has recently had to stop working as a teacher as her health has deteriorated due to her condition which leaves her exhausted but, according to her family, she “never lets this get to her”.

She described the thrilling surprise when Chegwin and the Daybreak crew came into her home.

Anna said: “I was sitting in the lounge and my husband Sean wouldn’t let me near the front door.

“I usually watch Daybreak in the TV room but Sean and Harry said the TV wasn’t working and that’s when I got suspicious as Sean hasn’t said to me in 20 years that he’d fix the TV.

“The next thing I know Keith is coming into the living room.

“I was absolutely stunned and though it came as a total shock, it was a really nice shock.

“It was all Sean and Harry’s doing and for them to stand out from the 1400-odd applicants Daybreak got for the feature was fantastic.

“Things haven’t been great for the family, health-wise, for a few years, so this was a nice boost.”

As well as meeting Keith and appearing on the telly, Anna also received a special cookery lesson from Daybreak chef Aldo Zilli.

She said: “Keith Chegwin didn’t have much time as there was sound issues and he had to run off but he was very nice and apologised.

“Aldo was a lovely guy and on top of getting to cook with him, he gave me a recipe book and a ‘Queen of the Kitchen’ chef’s hat.

“He also helped prepare dinner for the evening and cooked fresh pasta with Harry.”