JLS should be quaking in their boots after four-year-old fan and meningitis survivor Alissa Chowdhury has said she will ‘ground them’ for splitting up.
The feisty tot, whose progress has been followed by News Shopper after she contracted the illness two years ago, had the news broken to her this morning by her mother Samantha Jane shortly after the family told their story on live TV to promote World Meningitis Day (April 24).
Along with dad Manuel, they were interviewed by presenters Matt Barbet and Ranvir Singh on ITV’s Daybreak about their ordeal which occurred in April 2010.
They explained how Samantha’s mother noticed a rash and by the time they got to hospital, doctors were forced to put Alissa in an induced coma to help her survive.
Medics also had to amputate her right hand and both her legs below the knee but she has now learned to walk again with the help of prosthetic legs (which are adorned with JLS stickers).
Such is her newfound confidence, she caused today a Twitter storm during Daybreak by trying to walk off-stage mid-tantrum.
One viewer known tweeted: “Amazing scenes on Daybreak this morning, as a kid throws a huge paddy whilst they interview the parents.”
Mr Chowdhury, of Turpington Lane, Bromley Common, told News Shopper: “I saw there was a tweet circulating which said, ‘Child throws tantrum on daybreak then falls over’ - proud parent moment indeed.
“I’m going to show her a picture of that scene on her 18th birthday.
"I’m sure she must have planned it but luckily the host, Matt Barbet, was great and picked her up.
“She's doing really well generally though she does destroy my street cred by insisting we listen to JLS really loudly in the car."
He explained his daughter took a practical approach to the break up of the band.
"I couldn't face telling her they'd split so her mum explained it and Alissa said she would ground them so they could all stay together.
“She is assertive and is enjoying looking after her seven-month-year-old brother, Lucas, and being 100 per cent the bossy older sister.
“Whenever he gets hold of one of her toys, she lets him know who is boss.”
The family hope their TV appearance will help promote awareness of the illness and the work of the Meningitis Trust.
The 26-year-old clothes shop sales assistant said: “Every case is different but for someone going through something similar to us, I would say – it does get better.
“It is difficult to say because some people aren’t as lucky as us but more than anything, I’d encourage people to look out for the signs and be as quick as you can.”
Mr Chowdhury released a single with his band Urban Prophecies to raise money for the charity and they will be playing a charity showcase on June 28.
For more information, visit urbanprophecies.com or tweet @urbanprophecies
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