A FITNESS star surprised an inspirational youngster with a video call live on TV.

Fitness coach, Joe Wicks delighted nine-year-old Callum Axford with the call on the BBC London news.

The brave lad from Benfleet has a rare combination of cerebral palsy, chronic lung disease, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and neurofibromatosis type one, including optic tumours.

He’s defied the odds despite doctors telling his family he would not survive.

The family appeared on BBC Children in Need last year, then a few weeks ago the broadcasting team got in touch and wanted the family to create a video diary of coping during lockdown due to his conditions.

After the family made the video diary telling how they are home schooling and exercising, the BBC team decided to set up the video call.

Mum Faye, 38, said her son is a big fan of Joe Wicks and his daily exercising classes.

Faye got the surprise call about the video call but kept it a secret from fighter Callum.

Mrs Axford said: “The newsreader asked Callum about how much he likes Joe’s workouts and said there’s someone who’d like to say ‘hello’ and then Joe came on the camera.

“The children couldn’t believe it and were so surprised which was so lovely to see.

“Callum was thrilled and would have been so happy if Joe had given us a shout out on one of his videos, but to actually see and talk to him was amazing.

“The phone has not stopped with people calling to say they saw us on the TV facetiming with Joe.

“It was so nice especially with all that’s been going on with the coronavirus and was uplifting. Everyone at the BBC is busy so it was so nice for them to think of us.

“We want to say a huge thank you to Joe and everyone at the BBC for arranging this.”

Joe, who has been a huge influence on families keeping fit, said he’d been inspired by Callum’s story and asked about the little lad’s favourite costume worn by the fitness guru in the workouts - which turned out to be his frog costume.