Singer Tom Grennan surprises 'amazing' critical care nurses to say thanks for saving grandad's life

  • Tom Grennan chatted to ITV News Anglia's Katie Ridley when he rang the hospital

Singer Tom Grennan surprised critical care nurses at a hospital when he rang in to say thank you for helping to save his grandfather's life.

The star called his grandfather Peter Bunker, 86, while he was back at Royal Papworth in Cambridge meeting staff to say thanks ahead of Christmas.

Mr Grennan, originally from Bedford, was unable to be there in person but chatted to nurses over FaceTime.

"Thank you so much for doing what you do - it's amazing," said the star.

"When I came to the hospital to visit grandad in that crazy time it blew my mind how amazing you all are."

Nurses told Grennan his grandfather had made great progress and said they were backing the singer to get the Christmas number 1 with his hit It Can't Be Christmas.

Tom's grandad Peter Bunker thanks nurses at Royal Papworth Credit: ITV News Anglia

Matron Erin Russell said: "The whole of Papworth and the whole of critical care are rooting for you today."

He wished them the best Christmas ever.

Grennan said the care his grandad had received was "mind-blowing".

Mr Bunker said he had been taken in for aortic stenosis, when valves in the heart narrow, and had a stent put into his heart in August 2023.

He said: "Apparently I was quite near to death but they saved me. I feel so well now [compared] to what I was like before and it's all down to them."

Clare Grennan, Tom's mother, said: "It's lovely being back here with Dad because obviously, he made it and he pulled through where some people don't, and we're very, very grateful for all the staff did to make him better and well."

Ms Russell said it had been a huge boost for the team to have Mr Bunker back and to see what great progress he had made.

Grennan also donated signed records and CDs to staff as a sign of the family's appreciation.

Tom Grennan said he hopes to donate his piano to Royal Papworth to raise funds for the hospital. Credit: PA Images

In August 2023, the award-winning performer shared a video on his Instagram story, praising Royal Papworth staff for the treatment his grandfather received after he needed their specialist cardiology care.

Mr Bunker also spent time on the hospital’s critical care unit for kidney support.

In their latest visit, they also attended Royal Papworth Charity's Christmas carol concert in the hospital's atrium, alongside staff, patients and visitors.

Grennan found fame as the guest singer on Chase & Status's "All Goes Wrong" in 2016.

His debut album, Lighting Matches, was released in July 2018.

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