Inspirational cancer dad surprised live on ITV's Good Morning Britain for Father's Day

Good Morning Britain surprises inspirational dad Ben Ashworth from Preston live on air ahead of Fathers Day

Ben Ashworth, from Preston, appeared on Good Morning Britain this morning (June 17) so his family could let him know what an inspiration he is.

The 37-year-old is a father to three girls - Isobel, aged seven, Heidi, three, and Skye, 11, and also has terminal cancer.

He has outlived his prognosis by more than three years and has run 24 marathons raising over £40,000 for charity.

Ben Ashworth who has terminal bowel cancer and has completed six marathons in six months

Wife Louise told Good Morning Britain: “Ben was diagnosed with bowel cancer and about a year later he was told it was terminal and he might only have six to 12 months to live. Ben was never going to say, ‘that’s it’ and lay down.

“He decided that he was going to start running marathons and now he’s done 24 and he’s done other challenges as well and he’s raised thousands and thousands along the way.

“Ben is an amazing dad, despite numerous operations, regular chemotherapy every fortnight, he manages to just bring joy to everybody’s lives - especially for the children.”

Daughter Skye said: “He’s helped loads of other people that have a similar illness to him just to make sure that their life is better than his life.”

Ben’s family wanted to surprise him to let him know what a special dad he is and to reward him for his charity work.

He thought he was being interviewed on the ITV mid-morning show about cancer funding but the show secretly arranged for his family and friends to surprise him with presenter Richard Arnold.

As he is a huge fan of Stoke Football Club, Good Morning Britain also arranged for him to be surprised at Stoke’s ground where he was given a customised Stoke FC football shirt, an invitation to a VIP training day with the team and a three night break for the whole family at Butlins.

Speaking about his daughters, Ben said: “They are my reason for being, they have given me so much love and spirit. It’s difficult to be glum about terminal cancer when I’ve got their smiling faces looking up at me.

“I am blessed to have them, I really am.”