ITV1
Multi-millionaire businessman Danny Mardell had everything he wanted in life - a thriving business, a beautiful home and a champagne lifestyle.
But his perfect life was thrown into turmoil by the arrival of his baby son, Danny Junior, who was born with Down’s Syndrome. At first, the London tycoon coldly rejected his new child, believing that his perfect world had been tarnished. He fled the house whenever possible and went on drunken benders. There were even times, he admits, when he wished his son had died at birth.
This is the story of how he gradually overcame his fears to love and dote on his son – and how he came to launch Danny’s Challenge, a charity in his son’s name, to raise awareness about the social and personal impact of Down’s Syndrome.
Never one to take an easy option, Danny takes the fund-raising campaign to new heights by arranging a high-profile night of boxing at a plush London venue, where he’s the star attraction. After shedding four and a half stones and giving up alcohol, Danny steps into the ring to try to become Britain’s white-collar boxing champion, at the age of 40. His trainer is an old school mate, former world champion Nigel Benn - but will the Dark Destroyer help Danny to the title – and fulfil his dream?
In memory of Danny Mardell Senior.