Baby hopes for terminally-ill teen groom

A TERMINALLY ill teenager yesterday married the woman he hopes will carry his test-tube baby.

Leukaemia sufferer Martin Black and Susan Smith, both 19, held an emotional service in front of 100 family members and friends, which was moved one month ahead of schedule because his condition was worsening.

Following consultations with fertility experts, they hope Susan will conceive a baby from sperm frozen before Martin underwent chemotherapy.

Martin, from Felling, Gateshead, said: “She looked gorgeous and I am very happy. Everything is going ahead very well with the baby and I am very pleased.”

He had hoped to walk to the ceremony, but his condition has left him unable to stand, and he was in a wheelchair throughout.

Susan, originally from Donwell, Washington, said afterwards: “It was brilliant, it is going perfectly.

“I was a bit nervous obviously because I am getting married, but everything went fine.”

The groom’s mother Gillian, a 48-year-old care home worker, added: “I have had a few tears today but I have had to fight them back.

The couple met three years ago, before the leukaemia was diagnosed. The disease was in remission for eighteen months but reappeared in January.

Last month doctors told Martin he had a minimum of three months to live. The couple planned to marry in June and have a baby.