Martin's a Ninja hero

A Fylde sports star was hailed a hero after tackling the Ninja Warrior UK assault course on national TV.
Martin Heald from Wesham on ITV's Ninja WarriorMartin Heald from Wesham on ITV's Ninja Warrior
Martin Heald from Wesham on ITV's Ninja Warrior

Martin Heald, 25, from Wesham lost his leg due to a rare form of bone cancer when he was a teenager, but has gone on to play football for the England amputee football team for the last 10 years and also represents his country at paraclimbing.

He’s off to Mexico and Austria to participate in world cup tournaments in the respective sports later this year – but on Saturday evening the spotlight fell on him in the first in a new series of ITV’s Ninja Warrior UK show

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Martin went out in the first round after falling into the water at the third obstacle in what is billed by the programme-makers as the ‘toughest super-sized obstacle course’ and the ‘ultimate test of strength, speed and courage’.

Martin Heald from Wesham on ITV's Ninja WarriorMartin Heald from Wesham on ITV's Ninja Warrior
Martin Heald from Wesham on ITV's Ninja Warrior

But presenter and commentator Chris Kamara (pictured) was impressed with Martin efforts and said on air after his fall: “He’s my new hero”.

The programme, the first in a series of eight, was recorded back in August and Martin, a former student of Kirkham’s Carr Hill High School who works as a project support officer for Leyland-based Active Lancashire, said: “It was a really tough course I was keen to tackle and I gave it my best shot.”

Martin, who also plays football for the Everton amputee team, was unable to watch the show as it was broadcast as he was training with the England team.

But among those cheering him were mum and dad Brian and Selina and sister Clare, who all also live in Wesham.

Martin added: “I am really pleased with how I did.”