‘Kevin will be strong for his son’
The Webster family’s life is about to change forever
It’s a week from hell for poor Kevin Webster as he comes to terms with son Jack’s deteriorating condition. Concerned doctors inform Kevin that Jack has ischaemia, which is spreading through his body, and they need to amputate his foot. And while Kev contemplates this life-changing decision, he also has to contend with Sophie who is hell-bent on suing the NHS, as Michael Le Vell explains... How is Kevin feeling after Jack was diagnosed with sepsis? First and foremost, overwhelming shock. He didn’t know things could move this quickly from what he thought was just a little scratch. In a matter of days, it was lifethreatening. It’s devastating. Did you know what sepsis was before you did this storyline? I had no idea whatsoever. It’s so terrifying and really gets you thinking. How does Kevin react when he’s told he has to consider amputation or he could lose his son? He’s heartbroken. He doesn’t know where to turn or who to talk to, he feels lost. He can’t understand the situation they’re in and how quickly it’s escalated. It’s a heartbreaking decision to be faced with. He doesn’t want to be the one who decides on amputation, but Jack is so seriously ill, he’s left with little choice. Does Kevin blame anyone for what has happened? There are a few days when he lays the blame at Sophie’s door – he can’t help thinking if he was there, would he have spotted the signs? Then, when Sophie starts blaming the NHS and says she’s going to sue them for missing the signs, he goes mad and asks why she’d sue the people who are trying to save Jack’s life. He gets really angry. Will Kevin be strong for Jack? When he walks into the house and sees Jack’s football boots, he has that moment of realisation that Jack’s life has changed forever. Kevin and Jack are a team and I think he will come round and be strong for his son. The whole family will be there for him – Sophie, Sally, they’ll all come together and be there to help Jack. Has Kyran [Bowes who plays Jack] taken it in his stride? He’s been fantastic. He’s only 11 years old, but he’s acted so professionally and dealt with it in a really mature fashion. He met with a family who’d been through this and it really brought it home to him.