GMB star fights tears live on ITV show as he gives 'devil disease' update

Sport star gave a major update on fighting a "devil disease" on Friday. The star appeared on to chat to hosts Charlotte Hawkins and Robert Rinder after completing a 59-mile relay swim across the English Channel to Calais and back.

He had been raising money for a cause close to his heart, but was spurred on by 16-year-old . She is living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) - a rare and very painful genetic skin condition, often referred to as "butterfly skin". Graeme, who will be 72 in just four days, shared that he is on a mission to raise money and awareness of the condition - which he previously described as a "devil disease".

Speaking about the illness on GMB, Graeme became emotional as he explained: "This is a horrendous condition." He pointed to Isla's bandaged hands as he continued: "You can see Isla's hands, but that's all over her body."

He went on to explain: "I get emotional when I am in her company. She is a very special young lady and it makes me realise, you know I've got children, it makes you realise how lucky we all are."

Speaking about the illness on a previous episode of Good Morning Britain, Graeme said: "It's beyond belief, it really is. You would think that this disease was sent by the devil himself." He added: "There's no help right now," he shared. "There's nothing we can do for them right now. This is their life. Every waking moment, this is their life."

The star also explained that they are now trying to raise enough money so that researchers can improve drugs that are already on the market. He said: "If we discover a new drug today, it is the best part of 20 years before we get it to the market and costs tens of millions of pounds. So what we do is look at drugs that have already gone through that process and are already on the market, and they can repurpose them."

At the time of writing, Graeme has raised £528,034.50 towards his £750,000 target. You can donate to the cause on his . Fans at home were moved by the segment, with them posting to Twitter to share their own emotions.

One wrote: "Graeme and Isla you made me cry," while another added: "Aww Graeme Souness seems a lovely bloke #GMB." One more shared: "Awww Graeme Souness is so passionate about this story #GMB."