England striker spoke about their heart-warming friendship to Lorraine Kelly on Wednesday
JERMAIN DEFOE has opened up about brave Bradley Lowery on Lorraine... even revealing the youngster who's captured the nation's heart has got a girlfriend.
The Sunderland and England man, 34, spoke to Lorraine Kelly on Wednesday morning about the brave youngster, who suffers from neuroblastoma - a form of cancer.
Defoe spoke of the pair's heartwarming friendship, saying Lowery has changed him as a person.
Defoe said: "People talk about what I bring to his life but I can honestly say how he has changed me as a person.
"Going to visit him in hospital, just having alone time. It's difficult trying to keep your composure and not showing your emotions much was quite hard.
"I went to see him in hospital and he said to his mum, 'can you just turn the lights off'.
"And he said to me, 'do you want to get in the bed' and I said, 'no problem, Brad'.
"So i got in the bed and he put the covers over and he just wanted a cuddle. It was an amazing feeling."
Defoe went on to say he worries for young Lowery, but described him as a 'fighter'.
He added: "We saw him last week, me and my girlfriend, and to be honest he's not too well and he hasn't really been eating which is a worry.
"Apart from that he's a fighter, he's fighting every day."
The striker - who was recently recalled to the England set-up after years away - also revealed Lowery has a girlfriend, called Poppy.
Defoe said: When I spend time with him it's amazing, just the little things that he comes out with.
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind me saying about his little girlfriend Poppy."
Ahead of Defoe's television appearance, Lowery sent him a message, saying: "Hi Jermain, hope you have a good time on Lorraine.
"Thank you for all the things you've done for me. Love you, bye."
Defoe's appearance on the show sparked many to describe the footballer as a 'class act' and such kind things.
One Twitter user wrote: "Love @IAmJermainDefoe talking about @Bradleysfight on @Lorraine. Class act, what a friendship."
Another added: "How lovely of Jermain Defoe heartwarming friendship with that little boy you can see how much it means to him @ITVLorraine."
A third quipped: "Jermain Defoe is such a guy, really adore him. Amazing person @ITVLorraine."
