0:00:03 > 0:00:07OK. So, you're not driving?
0:00:07 > 0:00:09I just say yes to everything because I just...
0:00:09 > 0:00:12I've never been able to sit still for five minutes,
0:00:12 > 0:00:16so I often double-book myself and then say, "Sorry, I can't do that."
0:00:16 > 0:00:18I just say, "Yes, I'll do that, I'll come here."
0:00:20 > 0:00:23He always wants to get on with it.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26Despite all the bad news and horrible treatments
0:00:26 > 0:00:29and the side-effects and him feeling just rubbish,
0:00:29 > 0:00:33he's still the one to ring everyone up and go, "Let's do something crazy."
0:00:33 > 0:00:37OK, so what shall I do? Shall I go to Jordan's?
0:00:37 > 0:00:40OK, that's awesome. I'll see you in a bit.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42He'll be in hospital at the start of the week
0:00:42 > 0:00:47- and then somehow he'll make it out that Friday night. Unbelievable. - Friday and Saturday.- Yeah!
0:00:49 > 0:00:54'Alex Lewis doesn't like to think too much about the future.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57'He knows his days are numbered.
0:00:57 > 0:01:02'What he doesn't know is that on this day, the 4th of June 2010,
0:01:02 > 0:01:06'he'll meet someone who'll change his life forever.'
0:01:21 > 0:01:26I was 17 when I actually got diagnosed with cancer.
0:01:26 > 0:01:31Then I started chemotherapy very soon and lost my hair by my 18th.
0:01:34 > 0:01:35I remember, at that time,
0:01:35 > 0:01:39the word "cancer" was such a scary word. Especially telling friends.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Like, you couldn't really get yourself to say it.
0:01:42 > 0:01:43"Oh, I've got bone..."
0:01:43 > 0:01:48And then you'd pause for a little while and be like, "..cancer."
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Just try to get around saying it. There's no other word for it because it is cancer.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55I used to get very upset and very angry quite a lot.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59But then I just realised it doesn't help at all getting angry
0:01:59 > 0:02:05with anyone else, with just anything. Because it'll just...
0:02:05 > 0:02:10Well, it sounds corny, but you may as well be happy with the time you've got
0:02:10 > 0:02:12and make the most of your time.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21I've learnt to get myself into this state of just feeling...
0:02:21 > 0:02:26really good, like a warm feeling inside. Just completely peaceful.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Almost concentrate on not concentrating on anything,
0:02:29 > 0:02:32no negative thoughts, just feeling good.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35In English, we just don't have a word for that feeling
0:02:35 > 0:02:37that I feel has helped me.
0:02:37 > 0:02:42And in Dutch, they do. The word is "gezellig",
0:02:42 > 0:02:44which is the tattoo on my chest.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51I've kind of made up this word now. The Dutch would probably be like, "What is he talking about?"
0:02:51 > 0:02:53But to me, it means something even more now.
0:02:56 > 0:03:01- Enjoy your weekend. Take care. - Thanks very much. I will. Thank you.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04I think, for a long, long time, Alex couldn't believe
0:03:04 > 0:03:09that he wasn't going to be cured. I think we probably felt the same.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12You look round the corner for the next possibility,
0:03:12 > 0:03:17for the next possible way out of the situation.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20And we've, I suppose, only recently...
0:03:20 > 0:03:24And still, day in day out, you think "Well, there must be something else."
0:03:24 > 0:03:28You never give up hope that there might be something else round the corner.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31I definitely want to be cremated.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34- Ashes to be spread on Fulham football ground.- Oh?
0:03:34 > 0:03:36And then also in Brightwell
0:03:36 > 0:03:41and also... Triana Beach.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Instantly reincarnated? I'd like to think I'm a monkey.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51Just cos I love monkeys - a bit cheeky. What do you think I am?
0:03:51 > 0:03:55A pain in the arse? An ass, then. Just an ass.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00I like a cheeky chimp. Cheeky chimp, yeah.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02HE LAUGHS
0:04:05 > 0:04:09He's very mischievous and he likes to sort of wind you up a bit.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Never wants to sit inside watching TV.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16Always wants to play something,
0:04:16 > 0:04:18whether it's freezing outside or whatever.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- He always pushes it as far as he can.- Until someone gets hurt!
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Normally. Until he breaks a record or someone gets hurt.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39It's hard to get hold of him. He's always out meeting friends,
0:04:39 > 0:04:41travelling around the country.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43"Where are you this weekend? Nottingham, Bournemouth?"
0:04:46 > 0:04:47You can't suppress him.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51He's just unrivalled energy, he's always the centre of the party.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59Sometimes you go, "For Christ's sake, Al, sit down and read a book."
0:04:59 > 0:05:01I've never seen him read a book.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06He seems to be able to sort of wake up in the morning,
0:05:06 > 0:05:10think about the day and think about something good happening
0:05:10 > 0:05:14during the day and that's what he'll focus on. He won't go beyond that.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17If I put myself forward in time
0:05:17 > 0:05:19and say the last thing I want to do is regret anything.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23So, I'm thinking of all the things that I want him to do,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26or things you want to say or whatever,
0:05:26 > 0:05:28knowing that, when I look back,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31it will be one of just absolute enjoyment with him and his time,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33rather than, "If only I'd done this,"
0:05:33 > 0:05:35or, "If only I hadn't said," or whatever.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53He wants to experience everything possible,
0:05:53 > 0:05:57no matter how small or big it is. He just... He just wants to do it.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08ALL: # Strangers waiting
0:06:08 > 0:06:12# Up and down the boulevard
0:06:12 > 0:06:19# Shadows searching in the night... #
0:06:19 > 0:06:22I got a text somewhere in Australia just saying,
0:06:22 > 0:06:27"I've booked a flight for two days' time. I'll see you on Sunday."
0:06:27 > 0:06:29And then next thing, he just turned up.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34Alex has always loved getting a tan
0:06:34 > 0:06:38and just sort of frolicking in the sunshine.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44From the very first, we all got on really, really well.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48You know, "Let's just really enjoy being here in the sun in this beautiful place."
0:06:49 > 0:06:52We all had a really amazing time. It was just great fun.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Although, since the day I got diagnosed,
0:06:57 > 0:07:01I know for a fact I've thought about the Big C-word "cancer",
0:07:01 > 0:07:02like, every day of my life.
0:07:02 > 0:07:08But it makes you realise just how precious life is.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Life is actually amazing,
0:07:11 > 0:07:14but to make the most of every minute,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17you do have to look at things in a positive way.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- How does it feel, achieving the world record?- Good. Paul helped out.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- It wasn't just me and Josh.- Cheers!
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Al was like an extra child really in our family.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30So we've got four children, and he became the fifth.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32We were, like, inseparable
0:07:32 > 0:07:35and we'd sleep at each other's houses for a week on end.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38I wouldn't see my mum for five days. She'd be like, "You all right?"
0:07:38 > 0:07:41I'd be like, "I've just been at Al's for five days."
0:07:41 > 0:07:45# Dancing in the moonlight
0:07:45 > 0:07:48# Dancing in the moonlight... #
0:07:48 > 0:07:51He just doesn't stop having fun.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55It's amazing how he still has that drive, despite everything, really.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00I don't think I'd be this strong in this situation.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11I don't get angry about maybe not having a future
0:08:11 > 0:08:15because I woke up this morning thinking, "What am I doing today? I'm having a good day."
0:08:15 > 0:08:17I mean, I have to go and have radiotherapy,
0:08:17 > 0:08:22but you think, "Having radiotherapy - that's not chemotherapy."
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Chemotherapy's much worse. You can do that, the sun's shining,
0:08:25 > 0:08:30you're going later in your new sports car with your friends to Swansea.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37I'm...having almost the time of my life, in a way.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42I mean, imagine if you could feel like I do now
0:08:42 > 0:08:44just for your whole life.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47That'd be incredible, because you'd make the most of everything
0:08:47 > 0:08:51and you'd feel like, "I'm not wasting time."
0:08:51 > 0:08:55Alex is off to Swansea to catch up with Emily and her friend, Ali,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58who he last saw in Australia.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02After tonight, his life will never be the same again.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05It was a bit of a random kiss.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08It just came out of nowhere, but then I suppose
0:09:08 > 0:09:12after just one kiss then we realised that there was something more.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Straight away, the next day,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17you could tell that it had obviously been, you know, kind of...
0:09:17 > 0:09:20They hadn't realised that those feelings were there.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24Alex wanted to spend all his time going up to see Ali in Birmingham
0:09:24 > 0:09:27and he wanted to be with her all the time.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30I was thinking that this is the girl
0:09:30 > 0:09:32I want to spend the rest of my life with.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37He was saying, "I've never felt like this before, this is totally new
0:09:37 > 0:09:41"and I didn't think that I'd be able to have that feeling."
0:09:45 > 0:09:49I had champagne,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52then candles and strawberries and chocolates and everything
0:09:52 > 0:09:54waiting on the table here.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57I didn't want to have the ring in my pocket during the meal,
0:09:57 > 0:10:01just because you can maybe see it and I didn't want to do it in public,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04in the restaurant. I knew I wanted to do it here.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08I got the ring from round the back, and as the music was playing,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11then took the ring over and went down on one knee
0:10:11 > 0:10:13and asked her to marry me.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15And luckily, she said yes.
0:10:15 > 0:10:16# I'll be yours and you'll be
0:10:16 > 0:10:19# Lay with me
0:10:19 > 0:10:20# I'll lay with you... #
0:10:20 > 0:10:22In Australia, I had a boyfriend back here.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26I guess me and Alex would never look at each other that way.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31Then I got home, and I don't know, it was all him.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34I couldn't seem to say no to that face.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Still a bit of a dream, I haven't slept that much.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45Especially before.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47So, yeah, it's all of it...
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Then, when you're on morphine as well,
0:10:49 > 0:10:53you're checking all the time, "This is actually happening?"
0:10:53 > 0:10:57Cos it's all been perfect, really.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59There is no other word for it.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04I'd like to propose a toast to Ali and Alex.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09- To the Als. Cheers. Cheers. - Many congratulations.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11Wheeeee!
0:11:11 > 0:11:17- So, how did you feel about the whole thing?- Fantastic. Whoo!
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Got it. Well done. Well done.
0:11:22 > 0:11:23'My philosophy is just...'
0:11:23 > 0:11:27hang on to these precious moments we've got.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30And the joy they've both had this week
0:11:30 > 0:11:32has been amazing to watch.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35It's been lovely to watch and I think,
0:11:35 > 0:11:38if you have that experience in your life, it's amazing.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45When Ali announced a few weeks ago
0:11:45 > 0:11:48that Alex had asked her to move to Brightwell, she was so excited.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52I thought, actually, that's the right thing for her to do.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59Seven minutes until you've finished in this place.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02Seven minutes!
0:12:04 > 0:12:06All different colours of the rainbow.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12'I knew that Ali knew a lot about me
0:12:12 > 0:12:15'because in Australia I had to take my medication.
0:12:15 > 0:12:20'She doesn't feel the need to dwell on it too much
0:12:20 > 0:12:24'which is brilliant for me. Although I don't mind talking about it,'
0:12:24 > 0:12:27there isn't any need to dwell on it, because it is what it is
0:12:27 > 0:12:29and we just make the best of it.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33OK. Done. Remembered. It's always the lunch ones I forget.
0:12:33 > 0:12:39- What next, though?- I don't know. We haven't really spoken about the next bit.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43I guess I'll move down there today and see how that goes.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47And then I'm really not sure what's going to happen next.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56'Even though physically and health-wise I'm still getting worse,
0:12:56 > 0:12:57'things have got better.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01'Having someone to share my life with has just...
0:13:01 > 0:13:03'I couldn't ask for any more.'
0:13:03 > 0:13:04Put the balloon in?
0:13:04 > 0:13:07'It's like the relationship's been speeded up,
0:13:07 > 0:13:11'a six-year relationship being put into three months.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16'This person is something I can have in my life, which a few months ago, I wouldn't have considered.'
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- See you next Saturday. - Not too long.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- Thank you so much for the last few days.- Thank YOU so much.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Bye-bye.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26'The most beautiful girl in the world to me,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29'and I'm going to fight for everything.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32'It just gives me another thing to fight for.'
0:13:32 > 0:13:37MUSIC: "Please Just Take These Photos From My Hands" by Snow Patrol
0:13:51 > 0:13:54What surprises me is that he's so beguiling,
0:13:54 > 0:13:58that in spite of not being the best catch in the world,
0:13:58 > 0:13:59um, you know...
0:13:59 > 0:14:05With having a malignant and terminal illness, really, in a way.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10That somebody wants to spend the rest of that bit of his life with him.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14I think that's unbelievable really. It's rather romantic.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44We've got the fairy lights to make it a little bit more girly.
0:14:44 > 0:14:50- Let's switch them on. There you go. - Digital photo frame.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56- You have got your teddies. - My teddies, my special teddies.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00Pictures of just us. The first night we kissed.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06Probably take it down fairly soon. It's been almost two weeks.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10- Two weeks? It's been way more than two weeks.- Two and a half.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- Three weeks.- No, cos it's Sunday and it was on a Wednesday.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17Two and a half. But three weeks on Wednesday.
0:15:17 > 0:15:22- So, it's been quite a while. - Are you going to keep these, Alex?
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- We can chuck those away. - They're a bit naff.
0:15:24 > 0:15:25They are pretty naff.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- You're chucking all my stuff away. - Did somebody nice buy you those?
0:15:29 > 0:15:31I've no idea where they came from.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33It's just tat like all the other stuff.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51It's given him a whole new lease of life.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55He walks with a smile on his face when he's not in pain.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59They're pretty much inseparable now, which is absolutely wonderful.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Each day that they're together is a bonus.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09I don't know whether they'll get married, that is up to them.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- This is my old house.- Oh, yeah.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Oh! Look at that doggy.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- A Springer spaniel.- Hiya.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22The fact that Ali's appeared on the scene is just wonderful.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24I can't describe it in any way.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Hello. How are you?
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Good.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32It's given him such a boost. Who knows?
0:16:32 > 0:16:35We'll see the real power of love, I guess.
0:16:39 > 0:16:44We did have some mixed feelings, however I've checked out with her
0:16:44 > 0:16:47that she's aware of the situation, and she is.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49And all we can do,
0:16:49 > 0:16:52given that they've fallen so much in love with each other,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55is support them.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58And take care of what we need to take care of, stage by stage.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16- How's it been going having Ali around?- It's absolutely wonderful.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18We're loving having her around.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21She's all freshness and light and cheerfulness.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25She's making Alex really, really happy. It's just wonderful.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27We're thrilled that they've found each other
0:17:27 > 0:17:29and she's an amazing girl.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33She's very, very strong and coping and just incredibly...
0:17:33 > 0:17:36We had a very medical week this week, and she has found herself
0:17:36 > 0:17:39lying in hospital beds in the middle of the night with Alex
0:17:39 > 0:17:41and she seems to be taking it in her stride.
0:17:41 > 0:17:46He's on a huge amount of morphine now, 500 milligrams twice a day,
0:17:46 > 0:17:49and that's the limit they can get to.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Is that your coffee on the table?
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Yes.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58I'm really sleepy, I have very weird dreams.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02I wake up and start... I started talking about mashed potato the other day.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06- You started dancing... - I started dancing and clapping. - He was going like this.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Didn't you have a dream the other day about your hair?
0:18:09 > 0:18:13- That was really funny. - I really shouldn't talk about this.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15It makes me sound like a psycho.
0:18:16 > 0:18:21Basically, in my dream, the top of my hair and the sides
0:18:21 > 0:18:24and the back of my hair were all having a discussion
0:18:24 > 0:18:26and kind of arguing,
0:18:26 > 0:18:30because the top of my hair gets more attention than the sides.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34The sides are annoyed cos they don't get much attention.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Whereas the top gets much more
0:18:36 > 0:18:38and is taking the mick out of the back.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40I'm not a psycho, but it's the morphine.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44You've got to hold both sets of hands at all times.
0:18:44 > 0:18:45At all times!
0:18:45 > 0:18:47THEY ALL LAUGH
0:18:48 > 0:18:52Sitting, watching him talking on the sofa,
0:18:52 > 0:18:55it's really hard to remember how sick he is
0:18:55 > 0:18:59and that the tumours are actually everywhere now.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Through his lungs, through his spine
0:19:01 > 0:19:03and I give them a hug last night
0:19:03 > 0:19:06and it was the first time I... I gave him a hug
0:19:06 > 0:19:09and I could feel a lump in his back.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11That really brought it home to me
0:19:11 > 0:19:16cos that's the first really physical manifestation of the tumour,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19is that we can see it for the first time.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21That was quite frightening.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24But, but he just gets on with it.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27And every day he does something amazing,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29even if it's just getting out of bed, really, I think.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33- Do you want to play... - Yeah, If you want.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- Don't mind.- Do you want to do two teams of three?
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Or, ah...
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- What about three teams of two. - Yeah.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44'He said to me when we first started going out'
0:19:44 > 0:19:46that he really does believe that he's so strong
0:19:46 > 0:19:48that he's going to fight this.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51But if he's having a bad day, he won't feel like that so much.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54I think he believes that he's gotten so far,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57he's gotten a lot further than anybody thought he would.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01He does just think it's going to keep going on like this,
0:20:01 > 0:20:04he doesn't think it's ever going to get really bad.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06I think... I hope that's what he feels
0:20:06 > 0:20:10because I'd like him to not feel the opposite of that.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19OK. I'm in quite a bit of pain, should I take some Oramorph, do you think?
0:20:21 > 0:20:24That won't be instant relief. OK.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29I might take some Oramorph. Yeah. OK. Cheers, Mum.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- Have you got a measure?- Yeah.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Something to take your mind off it.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47All you have to do... Are we going to start from a list one? Why not?
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- You can fall asleep, Al, if you want.- Thank you.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52Don't worry about keeping us entertained.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55I'd probably prefer it if you didn't.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57I'm not very good at this anyway.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- Are we ready? - You can roll the dice.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04C. Just go for it.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10I think that bit's OK. That's all right.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17'He does get scared. Especially at night, he gets a little bit scared.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21'That's when I have to try to be strong and be there for him.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25'The other day, he was in a really bad way, curled up in bed'
0:21:25 > 0:21:27and in so much pain.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30So I kept saying to him, "Remember all the happy times."
0:21:30 > 0:21:33I kept mentioning the first time we met in Australia
0:21:33 > 0:21:34because it was pretty funny.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37I'd burned my eyelids the night before,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39and my eyes were really puffy and red.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41And I burnt my face, so I was peeling.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43I kept saying this to him,
0:21:43 > 0:21:47"Think about the night we got together. Think about your lovely friends."
0:21:47 > 0:21:48And that seemed to help,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51he fell asleep in a couple of minutes.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55So, I do try and just chat to him about silly things
0:21:55 > 0:21:57to make him cheer up.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10ALL: # Happy birthday to you
0:22:10 > 0:22:15# Happy birthday, dear Ali and Mum
0:22:15 > 0:22:21# Happy birthday to you. #
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Three, two, one, make a wish.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31THEY CHEER
0:22:36 > 0:22:41Go ahead. Go with a large slice. What have you done now, Alex?
0:22:41 > 0:22:43There's quite a lot of cake.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46'Alex just keeps going, and he's enjoying it.'
0:22:46 > 0:22:50Love, life and laughter.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54It's cheesy, but it's true.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- Did you make it?- She made it.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02THEY ALL LAUGH AND CHAT
0:23:14 > 0:23:17We've done our last Christmas twice all together.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20It does seem we're getting close to a third which would be great.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23It would be really nice if he makes it till Christmas.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26And I do hope they get married,
0:23:26 > 0:23:31I do hope that... they will have time to do that.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38Don't kick him and be horrid!
0:23:38 > 0:23:43LAUGHTER
0:23:47 > 0:23:50This whole year has been one of the best of my life,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53even though you could seen it as one of the worst years
0:23:53 > 0:23:55because it could be the year that I die.
0:23:55 > 0:24:01It's a horrible thing to say, but you have to be honest about it.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23She's got a corker of a smile.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27She's gorgeous.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30- Are you enjoying are having another sister?- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:24:32 > 0:24:37- Have you been helping your mum out taking care of her?- Yes.- Yeah?
0:24:37 > 0:24:39- Look at that little smile.- Aw!
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Had you guessed it was going to be a girl?
0:24:42 > 0:24:45- Yeah, I wanted it to be a girl. - Did you?
0:24:45 > 0:24:48You get what you want, don't you?
0:24:48 > 0:24:52- Not exactly.- Not exactly!
0:24:52 > 0:24:55BABY CRIES
0:24:55 > 0:24:57There you go.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59She just needed a kiss from her big sister.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Might need another kiss, Jessie.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10Just like my family, a baby girl, then a boy, then a girl.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- They'll get on well. - They're probably about the same age.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Four years between them.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Sssh.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23Does she smell? She's supposed to smell sweet.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Ssh.
0:25:29 > 0:25:34- Oh, baby, is she hungry? - Probably.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Sorry!
0:25:36 > 0:25:38You're rubbish!
0:25:38 > 0:25:40LAUGHTER
0:25:41 > 0:25:45- I should put that on that finger. - Yeah.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48It's too big, though. It just falls off.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50You've lost weight. You've def...
0:25:50 > 0:25:53My right hand is bigger than my left one.
0:25:55 > 0:25:56- He's lost weight.- What?
0:25:56 > 0:25:59I lost weight from my hand?
0:25:59 > 0:26:01It's the only reason why it's sliding off so easily.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03- It didn't do that before, did it?- No.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06I think when you're cold, your hands get thinner as well.
0:26:08 > 0:26:09'His way of dealing with it'
0:26:09 > 0:26:12is not to deny it, because I do not think he does.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15I think he knows and he understands.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18But he doesn't feel that he needs to live it as an illness.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22He needs to live the wellness of his life.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24I think that is something to do with
0:26:24 > 0:26:27the kind of attitude that you have.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30The glass is half-full as opposed to half-empty.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33I think he sees his as not just half-full,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36but there's something that makes it bubble up a bit more.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38He's got a bit of froth on the top as well.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04He still seems to have...
0:27:04 > 0:27:07the energy and lust for life that has always been there.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10And that is just a real bonus.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12It keeps us going, rather than us trying to build him up,
0:27:12 > 0:27:16we're probably trying to contain him a little bit
0:27:16 > 0:27:18in terms of, "Perhaps you shouldn't go out
0:27:18 > 0:27:20"until three o'clock in the morning,
0:27:20 > 0:27:23"try and get home before midnight," type thing.
0:28:00 > 0:28:05Yeah. I don't know. He just woke up and we were coming in
0:28:05 > 0:28:07because he was going to have a top-up of blood.
0:28:07 > 0:28:12He was feeling really bad yesterday. They think he had a chest infection
0:28:12 > 0:28:16so they've given him antibiotics and he's much better today.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20If he manages to get ready in time he will. Probably tomorrow.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24- I decided on the 1st of May. May Day.- That's nice.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27Early summer is a lovely time to get married.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29You felt strongly about getting married din a church, didn't you?
0:28:29 > 0:28:36I'm not particularly religious but I'd like to get married in a church.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40Alex was difficult to take to church because when he was little he didn't sit still.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42Still doesn't for more than two seconds!
0:28:42 > 0:28:46- Taking him to church was quite a trial.- I'm better at sitting still.
0:28:46 > 0:28:52- I kind of have to!- You're more used to it now in the hospital.- Yeah.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58- I've just seen a pigeon.- Fat pigeon.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04I want to see the fat pigeon!
0:29:04 > 0:29:08I might do some dress shopping between Christmas and New Year.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Get this idea out my head.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14Planning hen do's at the moment.
0:29:14 > 0:29:15But it's a secret.
0:29:15 > 0:29:20You can tell me. You don't trust me, do you?
0:29:20 > 0:29:23It's Christmas! You can get excited now.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27Excited now, are you? Cos you don't have to work today.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30- Cos you're coming home.- Mm-hm.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50KNOCK ON DOOR
0:29:50 > 0:29:53- Hello.- Hi. How are you doing?
0:29:55 > 0:29:58Alex. Joe's here.
0:29:58 > 0:30:03We have chatted about all the rubbish stuff
0:30:03 > 0:30:06but that's something I don't think he wants me to do.
0:30:06 > 0:30:12I feel he would rather I'm there maybe to help him forget about it just for an evening or something.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18- Have you done all your wrapping? - Not at all.- Done your shopping?
0:30:18 > 0:30:24Um... no. I need to get Mum and...
0:30:24 > 0:30:31- Have you got a day off tomorrow? - No. It'll be all right. I'll sort it out. I might do some tonight.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36I might pop in. I never do it this early. You all right, buddy?
0:30:36 > 0:30:40Yeah. Yeah, I got lots to do.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44- Think my mum took it. - What else have I got to do?
0:30:44 > 0:30:50Alex's, I don't know what to do with cos it's just in an envelope.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52This is where I'm taking him.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57Oh, my gosh! Where?
0:30:57 > 0:31:00A four-hour spa session we've got on the 23rd of January.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02'Ali's been amazing for him.'
0:31:02 > 0:31:09She can just be there for him and someone to confide in. And he's so positive about things.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11- Just what he needs, I think. - Does he have any idea?- No.
0:31:11 > 0:31:17- Does he know what's in that? Where was that?- Just there.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21He won't ever look for things like that. It's not very hard to hide things from him.
0:31:21 > 0:31:28I think the planning of the wedding and things surrounding it
0:31:28 > 0:31:31have been so good. Although it's so uncertain,
0:31:31 > 0:31:36it's something he feels positive about and he's waiting for that day.
0:31:36 > 0:31:37Go!
0:31:39 > 0:31:41No way!
0:31:43 > 0:31:45You know what it is!
0:31:45 > 0:31:49Yes, thank you! Thank you!
0:31:49 > 0:31:51Father Christmas.
0:31:51 > 0:31:52Oh, she hasn't!
0:31:52 > 0:31:56You want to make sure it's a great time
0:31:56 > 0:31:57and you have the best time,
0:31:57 > 0:31:59but you don't want to be thinking,
0:31:59 > 0:32:02"Let's make this the best time to have because it might be the last."
0:32:05 > 0:32:09That's in your head somewhere, so you want to make sure it's special.
0:32:09 > 0:32:10But you don't want to be thinking that.
0:32:10 > 0:32:15Overcompensate for that special skill!
0:32:15 > 0:32:17LAUGHTER
0:32:17 > 0:32:23They all feel like poignant moments because they're things you'll remember for the rest of your life.
0:32:23 > 0:32:29You're trying to take everything in but you don't want to be trying to turn it into a dramatic story.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32You just want to be there and enjoy it.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35INAUDIBLE
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Oh, no! I don't know how to react now!
0:32:38 > 0:32:42- Is that it?!- A piece of paper, yay!- A blank piece of paper.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46- That's the reaction. - It's in a standard size!
0:32:46 > 0:32:48Oh!
0:32:52 > 0:32:53Since everything's happened with Ali,
0:32:53 > 0:32:57which I think is fantastic and I'll never think anything else,
0:32:57 > 0:33:00I suppose I feel worse that he's going to die,
0:33:00 > 0:33:05because he's got this and it's not going to last forever.
0:33:05 > 0:33:10I guess also because it's just more people to be heartbroken when he does go.
0:33:10 > 0:33:11Although I'm thrilled for them,
0:33:11 > 0:33:16and they're so happy and that's brilliant, I'm acutely aware
0:33:16 > 0:33:21that it's more heartbreak for everybody and more heartbreak for more people.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24MUSIC: "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson
0:33:28 > 0:33:29I'm knackered.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32ALL: Whoooa!
0:33:43 > 0:33:48- Where is it?- What? - My dress.- I couldn't see it.
0:33:49 > 0:33:54I like the shape of it. There's something I can't... Maybe it's the...
0:33:54 > 0:33:56D'you like my dress?
0:33:59 > 0:34:04- You OK?- Yeah.- Knackered. Want to sit down?- Yeah.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10Thanks for coming in.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14- Pleased to meet you! I'm Heather. - This is Heather.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17- Beautiful bride.- Yeah, isn't she?
0:34:17 > 0:34:20The bridesmaids aren't too bad!
0:34:20 > 0:34:21LAUGHTER
0:34:21 > 0:34:28It's hard to do. With this one, ivory, possibly, and this would be navy.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30I really like that one.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Good choice!
0:34:32 > 0:34:33LAUGHTER
0:34:33 > 0:34:36I don't know why. That's the one that jumps out at me.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39I quite like the, um... HE COUGHS
0:34:39 > 0:34:40what do you call it?
0:34:40 > 0:34:41The sash?
0:34:41 > 0:34:42No, no, the, er...
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Ruching?
0:34:44 > 0:34:47- Yeah.- Don't know if that's the right word.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51I just think these are a bit more "our age" than this,
0:34:51 > 0:34:54- I don't know why.- Yeah.
0:34:54 > 0:34:55So have you decided?
0:34:55 > 0:34:59My dress? 100%. It's done. I've got no doubts.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02- Here?- Here.- That's amazing.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07- That's amazing.- Do you want to try and pick it? I'm joking.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11I quite like that poofy one.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13LAUGHTER
0:35:13 > 0:35:15The one with the roses?
0:35:15 > 0:35:17LAUGHTER
0:35:17 > 0:35:18Uh-oh!
0:35:18 > 0:35:21LAUGHTER
0:35:21 > 0:35:23Here we go.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25How you feeling, John? You going to win this?
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Yeeeah!
0:35:29 > 0:35:33- Oh, my God.- It's last now. - Oh, you're joking.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40- I won 30p on one race.- 30p?
0:35:40 > 0:35:42The thing about betting for me is,
0:35:42 > 0:35:47- all the pounds I put on at Christmas, I've lost tonight. - Ba-boom.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50Yes, yes, yes!
0:35:53 > 0:35:54LAUGHTER
0:35:55 > 0:35:58I'm £18 up. I don't know what I'll get for this, though.
0:35:58 > 0:35:59I cannot believe you won again.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03- How much did you put on? > - Three quid.
0:36:03 > 0:36:07- What, on place or on first? - On place, but it's 2-1.
0:36:07 > 0:36:08It's all right, mate.
0:36:10 > 0:36:16When you first became ill I had no idea what to do, what to think,
0:36:16 > 0:36:20and it's hit me really hard.
0:36:20 > 0:36:28Now it's four years on and I'm about to go to Australia
0:36:28 > 0:36:35and thinking about the fact that...
0:36:35 > 0:36:42I may, like, never see you again and stuff
0:36:42 > 0:36:48and when I think about that, it's the toughest thing ever.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52Erm...
0:36:57 > 0:37:01There are things I want to tell you.
0:37:01 > 0:37:07You're the best mate I'm ever going to have
0:37:07 > 0:37:12and I'm going to miss you so much.
0:37:13 > 0:37:14Erm...
0:37:17 > 0:37:18You're my boy. But...
0:37:26 > 0:37:27Yeah.
0:37:57 > 0:37:58ALL: Hello!
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Look at this! >
0:38:04 > 0:38:06- What do you reckon?- Oh, it's lovely.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08So amazing, so many lights.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16It's looking good in here, isn't it? Really nice.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19'It's going to be nice, cos obviously, with Alex's situation,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22'it's going to be lovely to see him get to do it.
0:38:22 > 0:38:27'I know it's all been really quick and we all understand why it's happened,'
0:38:27 > 0:38:28but I'm really happy for him.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32We want to celebrate and show them both how special they are, really.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34'It's a real happy occasion.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38'I know there's been plenty over the years of happy occasions with Alex,'
0:38:38 > 0:38:42but recently not so many, so I think it'll just be nice for us
0:38:42 > 0:38:44all to get together and be happy.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46Just think about that one day.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55Oh, my God!
0:38:55 > 0:38:59- Are we going to make this one top table?- Yeah. That's great, yeah.
0:38:59 > 0:39:04- Is it close enough to the toilet for Alex, though?- He won't need it. - He won't need it?
0:39:07 > 0:39:11- So how's Al doing at the moment? - Er... Not well.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13Not well.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15Well, he's paraplegic now, really.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19I suppose it started up last week and...
0:39:19 > 0:39:21it's just progressed rather rapidly...
0:39:22 > 0:39:25..this week.
0:39:25 > 0:39:26So, erm...
0:39:26 > 0:39:31the poor lad can't stand, can't feel his legs at all now.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34We managed to get hold of some IVs
0:39:34 > 0:39:38and so he was able to stay at home, which of course is the other thing.
0:39:38 > 0:39:43Always one for a party and always want to be at home,
0:39:43 > 0:39:46not wanting to go into hospital.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48- This is the weekend phone.- OK.
0:39:48 > 0:39:53So you don't have to go through the out-of-hours thing, you just need to get in touch with this...
0:39:53 > 0:39:59I said, "We're getting help with the barn and little bits and pieces," and he said, "Let's do it!
0:39:59 > 0:40:02"Yeah!" Woo, OK! Makes it worthwhile, really, doesn't it,
0:40:02 > 0:40:05if you feel like he's really, really wanting to do it?
0:40:05 > 0:40:08- Even though he's so weak, he's just determined.- Yeah, determined.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12I've got a spare wheelchair here, I'm going to take it outside, out the way.
0:40:20 > 0:40:21Thank you.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25It's quite a light show David's organising there at the barn.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27- It's going to look great. - Who's that?
0:40:27 > 0:40:31Jordan and Ross are there.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34And cos Ross is fairly tall, we're getting him reaching up.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37He's showing off a little bit, you know.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40- But you know what he's like. - Of course he is.
0:40:45 > 0:40:49- I feel bad that I can't help. - You what, mate?
0:40:49 > 0:40:52- I feel bad that I can't help.- Yeah.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54- I would like to.- Yeah.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59HE MURMURS Em...
0:40:59 > 0:41:02- Oh, Emily was there.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06I can't believe it's Friday.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10I can't believe we're getting married tomorrow.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12# He's getting married in the morning... #
0:41:12 > 0:41:14INAUDIBLE
0:41:17 > 0:41:21- And you are 22 tomorrow, right?- Yes. - Is that your 22nd birthday?
0:41:21 > 0:41:2322, yeah. Not sure what time.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28Not sure if I'll be married by the time I'm 22.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36Thank you.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39OK.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44Say goodbye. "Goodbye. See you tomorrow.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47MUSIC: "Lily Maebelle" by The Valentines
0:42:08 > 0:42:10Testing.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14I'm informed the groom's going to be a little bit late.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18So I need to inflict my stand-up routine on you, I'm afraid.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20And it goes something like,
0:42:20 > 0:42:23how do you make holy water?
0:42:23 > 0:42:26How do you make holy water? Anybody?
0:42:26 > 0:42:28Nod if you know it, please.
0:42:28 > 0:42:29LAUGHTER
0:42:29 > 0:42:32A lot of you people here might know this.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35You boil the hell out of it. Boil the hell out of it.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37LAUGHTER
0:42:37 > 0:42:38And that's it, I'm afraid.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10- QUIETLY: My voice is a little bit... - OK.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12It's difficult to get the words out.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15Well, I will speak them first
0:43:15 > 0:43:17so you just follow on the best you can.
0:43:39 > 0:43:40Will you stand for the bride?
0:43:43 > 0:43:45MUSIC: "Die Hochzeit" by Wagner
0:43:58 > 0:44:00Come a bit closer.
0:44:05 > 0:44:07Come a bit closer.
0:44:09 > 0:44:13Phew. Welcome. Let's get under way.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16I think it's a bit like being in an aircraft
0:44:16 > 0:44:18and not having flown the plane for a while.
0:44:18 > 0:44:20I can do a sort of exit routine.
0:44:20 > 0:44:23It's a kind of a steward...
0:44:23 > 0:44:26That would be to point towards the south door, which is open,
0:44:26 > 0:44:30if you feel at any point on the flight you need some oxygen.
0:44:32 > 0:44:33LAUGHTER
0:44:33 > 0:44:38I'm dropping clangers this big and bigger throughout this service,
0:44:38 > 0:44:39so bear with me.
0:44:39 > 0:44:43I thought I might go to the pulpit for a change.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46And so on this your birthday, Alex,
0:44:46 > 0:44:50and for both, the day of your marriage,
0:44:50 > 0:44:53it would seem a good moment to reflect on gifts.
0:44:53 > 0:44:58And the greatest gift, which is simply love.
0:44:59 > 0:45:02Now I know that both have many other gifts.
0:45:02 > 0:45:05Ali is, allegedly, a great netball player.
0:45:05 > 0:45:06LAUGHTER
0:45:06 > 0:45:08I hope I got that right.
0:45:08 > 0:45:10LAUGHTER
0:45:10 > 0:45:12I could be wrong!
0:45:12 > 0:45:16There was some sporting achievement she was telling me about.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20And Alex, Alex holds the record with Josh
0:45:20 > 0:45:23for the greatest number of headers between two individuals
0:45:23 > 0:45:27in the entire realm of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.
0:45:27 > 0:45:28LAUGHTER
0:45:28 > 0:45:32But believe it or not, there are greater gifts.
0:45:33 > 0:45:36Like keeping up friendships.
0:45:36 > 0:45:40Like staying positive in dark places.
0:45:40 > 0:45:45Like keeping relationships alive through thick and thin.
0:45:45 > 0:45:47Say these words after me.
0:45:48 > 0:45:53I, Alexander Samuel Weston, take you, Alison Linda...
0:45:53 > 0:45:58I, Alexander Samuel Weston, take you, Alison Linda...
0:45:58 > 0:46:00- ..to be my wife. - ..to be my wife.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03- To have and to hold... - To have and to hold...
0:46:03 > 0:46:06- ..from this day forward... - ..from this day forward...
0:46:06 > 0:46:09- ..for better, for worse... - ..for better, for worse...
0:46:09 > 0:46:12- ..for richer, for poorer... - ..for richer, for poorer...
0:46:12 > 0:46:16- ..in sickness and in health... - ..in sickness and in health...
0:46:16 > 0:46:20- ..to love and to cherish... - ..to love and to cherish...
0:46:20 > 0:46:22..for the rest of our lives together...
0:46:22 > 0:46:24..for the rest of our lives together...
0:46:24 > 0:46:29- ..according to God's holy law. - ..according to God's...holy law.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32- In the presence of God... - In the presence of God...
0:46:32 > 0:46:35- ..I make this vow. - ..I make this vow.
0:46:35 > 0:46:37(Well done.)
0:46:37 > 0:46:39(All the way down.)
0:46:39 > 0:46:40It fits, it fits!
0:46:40 > 0:46:41LAUGHTER
0:46:41 > 0:46:43Hold it there.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46Those whom God has joined together let no-one put asunder.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49Shall we give them a round of applause?
0:46:49 > 0:46:50CHEERING
0:46:59 > 0:47:02Hey, guys. I've forgotten a crucial part of the service.
0:47:02 > 0:47:04Are you ready?
0:47:04 > 0:47:06Alexander, you may kiss the bride.
0:47:06 > 0:47:08CONGREGATION: Yeah!
0:47:08 > 0:47:10CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:47:14 > 0:47:15Amen.
0:47:16 > 0:47:18FEMALE CHORIST SINGS
0:47:20 > 0:47:22That's fantastic.
0:47:22 > 0:47:24Really! That's wonderful.
0:47:25 > 0:47:27Well done.
0:47:54 > 0:47:55Nice to see you.
0:47:55 > 0:47:58He wouldn't let me kiss my bride!
0:48:02 > 0:48:03Happy birthday!
0:48:08 > 0:48:11Three, two, one!
0:48:11 > 0:48:13CHURCH BELLS PEAL
0:48:31 > 0:48:33HORN HONKS
0:48:38 > 0:48:43I am joined Emily in Swansea for a reunion on 4th June.
0:48:43 > 0:48:48Once in, I don't think we ever left each other's side
0:48:48 > 0:48:53and after a few fair rounds, my need to kiss her overwhelmed me.
0:48:53 > 0:48:58All those feelings from Australia came flooding back into a new realisation.
0:48:58 > 0:49:02I was in love. And it was for good.
0:49:02 > 0:49:05As everyone here knows and can plainly see,
0:49:05 > 0:49:11I have not been well for some time and have continued to deteriorate recently.
0:49:11 > 0:49:18Nonetheless, Ali has supported me in every way, every second of every day.
0:49:20 > 0:49:24I just again wanted to say thank you to my beautiful wife
0:49:24 > 0:49:28for making me the happiest man alive.
0:49:28 > 0:49:30APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:49:34 > 0:49:38To the marriage of Ali and Alex.
0:49:38 > 0:49:40ALL: Ali and Alex!
0:49:51 > 0:49:53DISCO MUSIC
0:49:53 > 0:49:55WHOOPING AND CHEERING
0:50:14 > 0:50:17MUSIC: "Everywhere" by Fleetwood Mac
0:50:30 > 0:50:32# Can you hear me calling
0:50:32 > 0:50:34# Out your name
0:50:34 > 0:50:36# You know that I'm falling
0:50:36 > 0:50:38# And I don't know what to say
0:50:38 > 0:50:40# I'll speak a little louder
0:50:40 > 0:50:42# I'll even shout
0:50:42 > 0:50:44# You know that I'm proud
0:50:44 > 0:50:46# And I can't get the words out
0:50:46 > 0:50:50# Oh I...
0:50:50 > 0:50:55# I want to be with you everywhere
0:50:55 > 0:50:59# Oh I...
0:50:59 > 0:51:02# I want to be with you everywhere... #
0:51:17 > 0:51:21The day after the wedding was a really difficult day, wasn't it?
0:51:21 > 0:51:24Because I think very suddenly he was very sick,
0:51:24 > 0:51:27and I don't think we expected it that fast.
0:51:27 > 0:51:31And it was a day of really sitting round his bedside,
0:51:31 > 0:51:35and about seven o'clock in the evening he just woke up and went, "What are you all doing here?"
0:51:35 > 0:51:38"Oh, nothing, Alex. No idea, really."
0:51:38 > 0:51:43He deteriorated quite quickly then, and on Wednesday he just told us all
0:51:43 > 0:51:47that he'd had enough and that he wanted to finish things,
0:51:47 > 0:51:52that he was struggling for every breath and it was really hard for him.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55And, erm...you know, in his usual manner,
0:51:55 > 0:51:57he arranged that and went in 24 hours,
0:51:57 > 0:52:00and managed, you know, to be peaceful and content
0:52:00 > 0:52:05and make it easy as he possibly could for all of us,
0:52:05 > 0:52:08which is just the way he did things, isn't it?
0:52:08 > 0:52:12We were all round, chatting, and we got used to the sound
0:52:12 > 0:52:15of Alex's breathing through the oxygen mask,
0:52:15 > 0:52:19and then suddenly everybody noticed it wasn't happening any more.
0:52:19 > 0:52:24It's like, you know, you get used to a sound and when it stops, you noticed it.
0:52:24 > 0:52:27His face naturally fell into a smile.
0:52:27 > 0:52:29Not a big beam, just that contented smile.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32- He looked peaceful. - He did look peaceful.
0:52:34 > 0:52:37We found, I think it was underneath the sofa,
0:52:37 > 0:52:41I have to no idea why he wrote it or why it was there,
0:52:41 > 0:52:43but it's definitely his scrawny handwriting.
0:52:43 > 0:52:47It said, "My life is perfect right now!
0:52:47 > 0:52:51"To say that is almost harder than saying the opposite,
0:52:51 > 0:52:56"because of what I could do if I survived.
0:52:56 > 0:53:00"But how many people can say that on their deathbed?
0:53:00 > 0:53:02"I am a lucky man!"
0:53:04 > 0:53:07That sums Alex up, I think.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10Dancing in the rain.
0:53:27 > 0:53:30I go from being absolutely fine in the day,
0:53:30 > 0:53:33it's usually the night-time where I feel a bit down.
0:53:33 > 0:53:36I think it's because maybe going to bed and Alex not being there
0:53:36 > 0:53:39is when it really sinks in, I think.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42But we are doing a lot better than any of us ever thought we would.
0:53:46 > 0:53:51It makes you realise you can go through anything now, it really does.
0:53:51 > 0:53:54I don't think I could experience anything more difficult than this,
0:53:54 > 0:53:58so that's the positive you've got to take from it.
0:53:58 > 0:54:00Yeah.
0:54:03 > 0:54:08He told us how much he loved us all and how incredible his life has been,
0:54:08 > 0:54:10and he felt like he had a complete life,
0:54:10 > 0:54:13even though it was a shortened-down version.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16He said, "I can't believe I'm only realising it now,
0:54:16 > 0:54:18"but you are my gezellig."
0:54:18 > 0:54:22I haven't pronounced that right, I don't know where all the accents go.
0:54:22 > 0:54:23That's when I said to him,
0:54:23 > 0:54:26"How would you feel if I got that tattooed on myself?"
0:54:26 > 0:54:28And he got really excited about it and was like,
0:54:28 > 0:54:30"Oh my God, that's amazing, please do that!"
0:54:30 > 0:54:33I'll show it to you.
0:54:34 > 0:54:37My one and only, never get another one.
0:54:48 > 0:54:50No, Sam says he can do it on his own.
0:54:50 > 0:54:53The fact that it's in the flower bed and things like that...
0:54:53 > 0:54:59- How many people does it take to put up a gazebo? 18? - Obviously more than four.
0:54:59 > 0:55:02Right, so that it doesn't fall apart...
0:55:02 > 0:55:05Where's George?
0:55:09 > 0:55:12- All aboard. - It's nice to see you.
0:55:16 > 0:55:19It's supposed to be big enough to fit a Range Rover under it.
0:55:19 > 0:55:21Yes, from my SAS days.
0:55:21 > 0:55:24That's it, that's it!
0:55:24 > 0:55:26You don't need to pull that,
0:55:26 > 0:55:28it's going to click when it gets to the thing.
0:55:28 > 0:55:30That's what I said, "Am I too high?"
0:55:34 > 0:55:39Since Alex has been and gone, it's almost as though he's been
0:55:39 > 0:55:43on a long holiday, a bit like Joe, really, in a funny sort of way.
0:55:43 > 0:55:49So it is kind of difficult to think, to feel of him as if he's gone.
0:55:49 > 0:55:53I still, because he was here so much,
0:55:53 > 0:55:56I often have a sense of him here when I'm doing things,
0:55:56 > 0:55:59and I guess that's almost a daily kind of feeling.
0:56:03 > 0:56:07But he is, in many ways, still here.
0:56:07 > 0:56:10I was thinking, actually, now it's piddling with rain,
0:56:10 > 0:56:12and we just got this barbecue sorted out,
0:56:12 > 0:56:15and I was looking at the pool with the top on,
0:56:15 > 0:56:17of course, he'd be in there by now,
0:56:17 > 0:56:19would have been in already for half an hour
0:56:19 > 0:56:24and making lots of noise in spite of the rain and everything else.
0:56:40 > 0:56:42No!
0:56:46 > 0:56:47# Strain this chaos
0:56:47 > 0:56:49# Turn it into light
0:56:53 > 0:56:58# I've gotta see you one last night
0:56:59 > 0:57:05# Before the lions take their share
0:57:07 > 0:57:10# Just give me a chance to hold on
0:57:10 > 0:57:13# Just give me a chance to hold on... #