A father and daughter are starring in a television show about life as a single parent.

Carl McAdam and his 14-yearold, Naomi, are among three families to feature in a documentary called My Heart Belongs To Dad on BBC 2 at 9pm on Wednesday.

The programme looks at families who are coping without a mother.

Carl's wife Becky died from cancer in 2002 and Carl decided to raise Naomi himself.

She suffered a forceps injury during birth and has spent her life in a wheelchair but she has never let it hold her back.

Coping was not always easy, especially in the early days, but Carl is immensely proud of his daughter.

Carl, 37, of Nizells Avenue, Hove, said: "My daughter is very strong. I am very proud of her when she fights back because it shows she has determination.

"The director Nick tried to capture the emotion between us and he did it really well. My story is about love of a family and my wife dying of cancer. She was just 34.

"Me and my daughter were left to support each other. I felt I needed to come home to Brighton to where my heart was and my friends. I have never cried so much and still do.

"For Naomi it was a relief because it was so hard seeing her mum in pain and not being able to do anything about it.

"Things can be tough. We have a great relationship, typically tempestuous."

Carl met Becky in 1991, they were married in 1992 and Naomi was born later that year.

Carl said: "Naomi goes to a school in Angmering and wants to go to Brighton, Hove and Sussex VI Form College in a few years.

"She is very strong and when we come up against barriers we get round them together.

"She is my daughter and I tell her when she can't do something but I respect her too. I want her to look back on her youth favourably."

"I work with two charities and they are a great help - Amaze, based in Queen's Road, and The Parents' Forum which works with Brighton and Hove City Council."

A spokesman for the film said: "My Heart Belongs To Dad explores how fathers and their children cope with the loss of a mother."