This Morning viewers have praised Britain’s Got Talent finalist Julia Carlile as “an inspiration” after she had spinal surgery paid for by Simon Cowell.
Julia, 15, impressed entertainment mogul Simon when she appeared on this year’s show as part of dance troupe Just Us, who later became Mersey Girls.
The teenager suffers from scoliosis, a condition where the spine twists and curves to the side and does not usually improve without treatment.
But, despite undergoing surgery twice for six hours a time, she is practicing her dance moves again less than two weeks after her operations.
Julie flew to America for her treatment, which cost £175,000, and was paid for by BGT’s head judge Simon.
She said on This Morning: “It has been really hard, probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
“But yesterday was a breakthrough, I just decided I’m going to get better now, because I just want to dance.”
When asked what life would have been like had she not had the surgery, Julia said: “Probably by now I would have had the fusion and I’d probably be at home recovering, a lot slower than I am now.
“I’d probably be a mess because knowing I’m not going to dance again, I’d be like, ‘What do I do now?’
“So, honestly, this has changed my life for the better.”
Julia’s operations took place over a period of 11 days and her surgeon Dr Darryl Antonacci appeared on the programme with her to explain the process.
He said: “For 40 years it’s been treated with metal rods coming through the back of your spine, with a lot of muscle disruption and a large, large surgery.”
“This surgery comes in from the side and instead of a metal rod we put a flexible cord and that flexibility of the cord allows you to correct the curve - basically like clinching a belt - but then it maintains flexibility.
“She’s handled it like a gem, she always has a smile on her face.”
Television viewers were very impressed with Julia, with many taking to social media to praise her.
One person wrote: “Gorgeous to see @MerseyGirls on @thismorning the love for each other warms my heart! Speedy recovery @juliacarlile_x send love to you all.”
Another person tweeted: “@juliacarlile_x @MerseyGirls I’m an old softie. In tears watching this interview on #ThisMorning. Girls will be inspired by her. She’s awesome.”
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