EXCLUSIVE 'It affected the whole family': Pixie Lott reveals how brother Stephen's inspirational battle with Perthes' Disease spurred her on to pop stardom
Her success has seen her top the charts numerous times and sing to enormous crowds.
But yesterday Pixie Lott revealed she might not be where she is today without the extraordinary inspiration of her gravely sick sibling.
The 23-year-old told how she was spurred on to succeed at a young age by her older brother, Stephen, who suffered with Perthes’ Disease from the age of 12.
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Inspirational: Pixie Lott says brother Stephen's struggle with Perthes' Disease prompted her to play a hands on role with charities dedicated to raising awareness of the debilitating condition
The illness, which weakens the hip, rendered the young boy wheelchair-bound and doctors warned he may never walk properly again.
Desperate to help in any way she could, 11-year-old Pixie began singing at parties and discos to raise money for the charity which was involved with his treatment.
And more than a decade later, Stephen, 24, is now able to walk properly and ran a marathon last year.
Supportive: (L-R) Beverley Lott, Pixie Lott, Stephen Lott, Chris O' Grady, Charli Ann Lott & Karen O' Grady
The pair, who are regularly seen out partying together, are so close that Pixie even reportedly bought him an £80,000 Porsche Cayenne earlier this year.
Pixie, who is due to appear on Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing with her partner Trent Whiddon, said her brother's illness had a profound effect on her.
Speaking during a visit to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, she said the ordeal her family went through had inspired her to help others.
On the run: (L-R) Pixie Lott, Karen O'Grady, Sharon Britton, Charli Ann Lott and Stephen Lott. Pixie says Stephen's condition affected the whole family. As well as charitable runs, Pixie organized raffles and sung at parties
She said: 'My brother had Perthes’ Disease when he was little and that really affected us as a family.
'That's one of the diseases that this hospital supports so that meant a lot to me.
'His hip was crumbling away so he had to have a big cast.
'They said he could have been in a wheelchair for the rest of his life but he ran a marathon last year.'
She added that the need to raise money for charity spurred her on in her singing as well.
'At the time we did a lot for the Perthes Association,' she added. 'I did discos and raffles and I was singing at parties.
'I get involved in the young charities because young people listen to other young people.'
Close: (L-R) Siblings Stephen, Pixie and Charli Ann pose for a fun period style childhood photo
Perthes’ Disease is a rare childhood disorder which causes the head of the thigh bone in the hip to soften and break down due to inadequate blood supply.
It affects one in every 9,000 childen, usually between the ages of three and 12 and, the condition more prominent in boys than girls.
Stephen was struck down by the disease between the ages of 12 and 15, with doctors saying he may spend many years in a wheelchair.
But after the family researched the condition, they found Harley Street consultant Anthony Catterall, who performed specialist surgery and installed a temporary hip spica orthopaedic cast.
Doting: Baby Pixie and her grandfather Charles Martin
Thanks to the treatment, he is now able to live a normal life, although he still has ‘niggles’ and may have to have a hip replacement when he is older, according to his family.
Now the economics graduate, who works in finance, regularly joins Pixie, their sister Charlie Ann, and mother Beverley, in helping to raise money for the Perthes’ Association.
A family friend added: ‘Stephen has always been extremely supportive of Pixie, and likes to join her at as many of her shows as possible.’
Pixie was at Alder Hey to launch a Christmas fundraising campaign for the hospital, led by Matalan – one of the hospital’s biggest sponsors.
The retailer is currently selling charity scarves featuring letters of the alphabet, with all profits going to the hospital.
Cebtre stage: Pixie and ballroom partner Trent Whiddon are currently impressing viewers of hit show Strictly Come Dancing. On Saturday they will perform a Sweeney Todd themed tango for Halloween
She sang her new charity single, a cover of Caravan of Love, the 1980s hit originally recorded by Isley-Jasper-Isley.
The song will feature on the new Matalan advert, which will air for the first time during X Factor on Saturday and will be available to download from midnight tonight.
After meeting some of the children on the ward, she revealed details of her upcoming performance on Strictly Come Dancing, which will be a Sweeney Todd-themed tango for Halloween.
She said: ‘Trent's going to be dressed up as Sweeney Todd, and I'm going to be a customer in his hair salon and then my hair gets all electrocuted.
Success: Pixie has established a mainstream pop career, but still helps out with various charities
'He won't actually electrocute me, but he'll make it seem as if and that's when my hair will go all crazy and stand on end.
'Hopefully it will be a hair-raising performance.’
She added that this week would be a good opportunity for her to shed the trademark Strictly spray tan look.
'Everyone has a spray tan but I haven't been getting as involved as everyone else,’ she said. ‘I had to have it last week because I was doing the samba.
'I had the lightest version you can get. I'm just not a big fan of it. I'm pleased this week I won't have it because it's Halloween so I'll be really pale.
'It will be Sweeney Todd theme, which is a period look. I can't wait for the makeup and what they're going to do.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2816203/Pixie-Lott-reveals-brother-Stephen-s-inspirational-battle-Perthes-Disease-set-road-pop-stardom.html#ixzz3Hln4fx12
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