Child genius Dan back on TV to tackle celebrities
A CHILD genius who has never let his disability get in his way will be returning to our screens today alongside a string of celebrities.
Ten-year-old Dan Mead was born with hemiplegia, a form of cerebral palsy that has caused weakness down the left side of his body.
According to Dan’s dad Phil, he doesn’t let this get in the way of anything he puts his mind to, including playing against celebrities in tests of intelligence.
“Dan was one of the youngest when he was first invited onto Child Genius, and he did pretty well considering,” said dad Phil.
The Cardiff City fan was so popular with the show’s audience that he was invited back to feature in the Christmas special.
“I was playing against Jo Brand in a memory test and she kept throwing packets of Haribos at me,” said Dan, who lives in Pontprennau with his dad, mum Louise and sister Ruby.
The Bishops Childs CIW Primary School pupil first applied for the show after seeing an advert in a magazine.
He was treated by the show to a special visit to Cardiff City Stadium where he went behind the scenes and met his beloved team in the changing rooms.
Phil, a civil servant for the Welsh Government said Dan was ecstatic to have that opportunity.
Dan said he loved appearing on the show, adding that it was “really, really fun” and that he is very proud of himself.
Dan’s hemiplegia also hasn’t stopped him from getting involved in sport and he has recently set his sights on table tennis.
“He tried it out for the first time two months ago, and we couldn’t get him off it,” said Phil.
“He has a go at rugby in school, he plays football, nothing stops him.”
Dan has high hopes for his future career, admitting he would one day like to be a sports journalist or a doctor.
“He is a very confident young lad, for Dan to have this disability and still have the confidence he has is great,” said Phil.
“We as a family are all very proud of him.”
■ The Child Genius Christmas Special will air today at 8pm on Channel Four.