THE mother of a youngster left wheelchair-bound by jealous Daniel O'Donnell fans has urged the star to appeal for calm when the star returns to Blackburn tonight.

The knee injury suffered by Ryan Murphy at Daniel's show 12 months ago has deteriorated to such an extent that he has been told that he will never walk properly again.

Tragically, Ryan, 12, of Malham Road, Harle Syke, Burnley, was taking a handicapped youngster to the toilet at the King George's Hall venue when he was hurt by a fan who thought he was trying to steal her place in the autograph queue.

Today his mother Maria said: "The person who did this has never been found.

"Ryan had to have major surgery to a knee injury which eventually effected his hip bone.

"His leg is now full of wires and pins."

Ryan's condition has meant he has had to receive home tuition for much of the last year but he has now recovered enough to start studies at St Theodore's RC School, Burnley.

However, Maria claims the incident has affected him emotionally and spoiled his chances of ever becoming a professional sportsman. She added: "He doesn't play rugby any more, he cannot ride his horse and his bike is still wrapped up from last Christmas.

"He has gone from being a very active little boy to this. His elder brother Gavin plays rugby for the county club and Ryan had hoped to follow in his footsteps.

"He had to give up playing for Caldervale in Burnley."

Ironically, on the day Ryan was due to attend Daniel O'Donnell's world-famous tea party in Ireland he was undergoing surgery.

His mother will be attending the concert tonight - this time without Ryan, who is too frightened.

She has spoken to the singer's manager about him mentioning the incident at tonight's show and then repeating his warning at the second Blackburn show tomorrow night.

She added: "I hope he might make a little bit of a speech and say 'please don't push, please don't let this happen to another person.'

"There is also a chance that one of the thousands of people who travel to Blackburn to see the show might have information about how this happened."

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