Skip to content

Music helps teen escape pain as TV dream comes true

Andy HowardWest Lavington
BBC Izzy plays his acoustic guitar whilst singing. He's looking down at the fretboard and is strumming with his right handBBC
Izzy was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was two years old

"Music takes me to a different place," says a teenager with cerebral palsy who has landed the chance to perform on national television.

Some days 14-year-old Izzy struggles to get around because of pain caused by his condition. But when he picks up a guitar or starts singing, he says he can escape into another world.

Known by friends and family as "the happiest person in the world", Izzy, from West Lavington in Wiltshire, has been selected to perform in the 2026 BBC Children in Need Choir.

"It's really exciting, a once-in-a-lifetime experience to do something that special," he said.

More

Despite living with cerebral palsy and a spinal condition that can leave him fatigued and in pain, Izzy rarely stops smiling.

"Music takes me to a different place, into how the music is described and the places they are - that's where I'm escaping to," he said.

His mum, Rachael, said: "He just loves life and makes the best of everything. He likes to talk, to be involved, to help."

The choir will perform on the national Children in Need broadcast on 13 November, an opportunity Rachael described as a "crazy dream" come true.

Izzy sits in an armchair wearing a black hoodie, smiling broadly at the camera. He's in his living room, there's a set of bookshelves in the background.
Izzy says the excitement of performing with the Children In Need choir will outweigh any nerves

Izzy was born nine weeks premature, and spent the first month of his life at Salisbury District Hospital.

Early on, his family noticed he wasn't developing as quickly as other babies - he couldn't sit, crawl or walk - and was eventually diagnosed with cerebral palsy aged two and a half.

"I also have a spinal problem where my bones rub together, which isn't the most comfy," explained Izzy.

"It can affect my daily life. One day I may be able to get around, the next I can't. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable and in pain," he said.

Izzy - who was named after Isambard Kingdom Brunel - walks with splints on his lower legs to help with balance.

Izzy as a tiny baby, lying on his back wearing a colourful knitted hat, with a plastic tube going into his nose.
Izzy was born nine weeks premature

"Yes it's true, I'm known for always smiling. I do things that are happy. I think it makes other people feel better too," he said.

Izzy has started volunteering to help younger children at the West Lavington Youth Club (WLYC), where he's been going for five years.

The club has received money from Children In Need in the past.

"He brings a load of energy to the group, even though he has physical disabilities it doesn't hold him back," said Josh Newton, the manager of WLYC.

"He doesn't need to be asked to help, he just does."

Izzy playing pool. He's at the far end of the blue table, lining up a shot with different coloured balls scattered in front of him
Izzy has attended West Lavington Youth Club since he was in primary school

The choir will perform a mash up of 'Stargazing' by Myles Smith and the Candi Staton classic 'You Got The Love' as part of the national CiN show.

"It'll mean everything to him," said Rachael.

"He's just blown away by it. It's like a crazy, crazy dream"

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.