Jack Norfolk From ITV's Children's Hospital Dies At The Age Of 12

Jack Norfolk From ITV's Children's Hospital Dies At The Age Of 12
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A brave boy who starred in the ITV documentary Children's Hospital has lost his fight for life at the age of 12.

Jack Norfolk, who had suffered with kidney failure, died in his mum's arms on Sunday.

Children's Hospital, which was broadcast in 2010, captured the lives of patients and staff.

But little Jack – who was then eight - stole the show.

The 12 week series followed him as he endured four hours of dialysis treatment to clean his blood three times a week.

In the first episode, he had a three-hour operation on his hip due to a genetic bone disorder.

The series then followed his first steps as he learned to walk again. Jack famously told camera crews: "I just want to be normal – and eat bananas."

His mum Jeni Spilsbury said at the time that he was an 'inspiration'.

She said: "Jack is what keeps me going. To him, he's just Jack. He just gets on with it and I wouldn't have him any other way."

Jack, from Northenden, Greater Manchester, was born weighing 2lb 5oz with a host of heart, liver and genetic problems, and by 2011 he had already undergone dozens of operations.

In 2011, Jack was looking forward to his first hospital-free Christmas in three years after a kidney transplant.

His family had spent every Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital for three years while he underwent dialysis.

Jack spent two weeks in hospital after the operation and underwent repeat visits before he was allowed to return to Northern Community Primary School full time for the first time since he was five.

The Manchester Evening News told how Jack was given a new lease of life by his kidney, which he nicknamed 'Kevin'.

The operation meant Jack could eat his favourite fruit, bananas, which are banned for dialysis patients because their high potassium content interferes with the process.

In 2012, Jack was among a group of children who appeared in the documentary who met the Queen when she toured the hospital and met patients with the Duke of Edinburgh.