He said: “I struggled with the idea that I no longer held the identity of a Marine and the label of being ‘so­-called disabled’.” People seem to be interested in me because of the challenges I have set myself, especially since I won gold in the 400m and 1,500m, and bronze in the 4x100m relay at the Invictus Games." I love gardening which helps me stay more or less in control of depression which I try to live with," he said. I also won a couple of gold medals at the Invictus Games and got to abseil the shard so I don't think I have done too badly. Andy’s life changed forever while on patrol in Helmand. It was pitch dark: “My mate jumped over a ditch in front of me but he activated a trip wire that set off the bombs.

Now a motivational speaker, Andy has told his story to thousands of people, including the academy at his beloved LFC, which he found harder than expected. He’s just released his book, aptly titled You’ll Never Walk, in which he goes into detail about his journey. Along the way he's also caught the attention of his hero, Jamie Carragher, who comes from the same town of Bootle, and who he is now able to call a friend.I went into my old family A6 this morning, the Year 11 girls were telling me all about it and how I missed out. They really enjoyed the talk and gave them lots to think about.

Andy is also an Invictus Games champion. Last year he won two gold medals for the 400m and another for the 1,500m as well as a bronze for the 4x100m relay. Like I mentioned I love my job and get a huge buzz from traveling and meeting new people every day so when the pandemic hit all my work stopped and I initiallywas worried. I talk about in my talks the Commando ethos and one of those values is adaptability. That’s what I had to do. Adapt and overcome. Thankfully, I have started delivering motivationaltalks via zoom which has been brilliant. I’ve spoken to people all over the world, from New Zealand to California. Business, schools, and individuals and I’m still able to get that same buzz of hopefully helping people through a pretty uncertaintime. Thought that showed everything he said had an impact- even though he was upstaged by Matthew fainting. The 29-year-old’s journey then lead him to gold medals at the Invictus Games – the sporting event created by Prince Harry for injured veterans – and the desire to set himself bigger aims only grew. He learned to ski, surf, and climbed the highest mountain in South America. After failing to make the Paralympics, as “he wasn’t much of a sprinter”, Andy instead decided to set his sights on breaking a world record. Last year, ITV followed his successful attempt to become the fastest man with one leg over 10km.

Colonel Stuart Tootal

She says: “We didn’t know how things were going to work out and there was a time when having a family wasn’t on the agenda. It is ironic that it says I will never walk as I have gone on to run 10k in 40 mins. At the moment I am just two minutes off a record record for the 10k for a single leg amputee and I have that in my sights. During his rehabilitation he was introduced to veterans with prosthetic limbs who were doing things he couldn’t. “That’s when I told the surgeon I wanted to have my leg amputated,” he says. Royal Marine Andy Grant

He says: “It came down to what the Marines had taught me about always pushing yourself, jumping outside of your comfort zone and giving 100%. I was used to life at 100mph and suddenly I was living at snail’s pace. He was great. Even though it was a bad experience for him, he was positive about it and made us laugh (especially with his tattoo!)" Andy said that the biggest challenge after the explosion was the struggles he faced mentally. “I am now mentally focused on my life again.” To add more challenges your way, how has the coronavirus pandemic affected you, not only as a person but in your line of work?I guess I did use the tattoo I was left with as an extra inspiration. But I was always going to prove it wrong." The former hospitality worker credits gardening as an important part of maintaining his mental health, and says it's a shame as the flowers cheer up his neighbours. With wounds to his right leg not healing as it was hoped, he was faced with a life changing and extremely agonising decision. Whether to have his leg amputated. After a few hard months and time spent speaking with surgeons and his family, he had made his decision.