Britain’s shortest dad opens up to Peter Andre about what it’s like being a father at 2ft 10 inches tall
Michael Hembree has starred in a number of movies over the years
BRITAIN'S shortest dad opened up to Peter Andre about what it's like to be a father at 2ft 10 inches tall.
Michael Hembree spoke to Peter on This Morning and said his son Joseph is his "personal miracle".
His condition is called diastrophic dysplasia and Michael admits that it was hard to look after Joseph when he was a baby.
He told Peter: "When I found out I was going to be a dad I was a little bit scared of how it's going to turn out.
"But they could tell after my wife's first scan that his bone growth was normal."
When asked what it felt like to know his son wasn't going to have the same condition, Michael said: I felt 10 feet tall!"
Every day tasks were tough for Michael and he admits changing Joseph's nappies proved particularly hard.
He said: "It wasn't easy because I didn't have the strength in my hand to pull the nappy closed so I used to have to use my mouth to pull the tab to make it tight."
Michael has also appeared in a number of movies, including Star Wars with Mark Hamill.
He said: "Being the smallest, it has given me opportunities to be in a few movies.
As his son Joseph is now 15, he helps his dad up and down from chairs, into the car and puts his mobility scooter in the boot for him.
Speaking about his dad, Joseph said he wasn't picked on at school about it and said Michael has always been good fun.
He said: "I just noticed it during sports days really but it didn't bother me too much.
"The kids were all good about it really, they all love him - he's always joking and messing around."
Joseph is a sporting success and is an ace on the tennis court which makes his dad very proud.
He said: "It's an incredible feeling to watch him play tennis. I would love to be able to play, in a way that kills me a little but but I get the pleasure out of seeing him doing things I'd love to do.
"I'm not making out it's a bunch of roses, but I'm just grateful for everything in life I've got."
This Morning airs weekdays on ITV from 10.30am.
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