Louis Theroux visits Leeds children's hospice and receives adorable interview from seven-year-old Hooriya
“I’ve certainly never had an interview quite like it before”
Documentary filmmaker and broadcaster Louis Theroux became the interviewee rather than the interviewer during a visit to Martin House Children’s Hospice in Leeds last week.
Theroux took a trip to the Boston Spa hospice on October 6, where he was given a tour of its newly transformed facilities and met children and families supported by Martin House.
During the visit, he saw the new children’s wing and hydrotherapy pool, as well as learning more about the specialist palliative care and support Martin House provides to children and young people with life-shortening conditions and their families.
But the tables were turned when Louis met seven-year-old Hooriya who is supported by the hospice.
Hooriya quizzed Louis about everything with her questions ranging from his favourite toy as a child to what he thought of Marin House.
Theroux said: “It was my first time visiting a children’s hospice and I was really impressed by the facilities. Everyone at Martin House has made me feel incredibly welcome.
“I really enjoyed meeting Hooriya and being interviewed by her. I’m normally the one asking the questions, so it was a bit of a role reversal - I’ve certainly never had an interview quite like it before.”
After Hooriya’s questions, Theroux praised the seven-year-old for being a “superstar interviewer" and gave the Leeds youngster a high five.
Clair Holdsworth, Chief Executive of Martin House, said: “Hooriya did a fantastic job of turning the tables on one of the country’s best-known interviewers.
“We hope their conversation will give people a glimpse of the warmth, fun and personality that is such an important part of life at Martin House.”
She also said that the hospice was “delighted” to welcome the documentarian and allow him to see first-hand the care and support the hospice provides.
Clair said: “What really stood out was the time he took with the children and families he met. They told us afterwards how genuinely interested he was in hearing their stories and how much they valued having the opportunity to talk openly about their experiences.
“For some, simply having that conversation meant a great deal, and meeting Louis will be a memory they treasure for years to come.”
Every year, Martin House supports over 550 children and young people with life-shortening conditions, and their families, across West, North and East Yorkshire.
Care is delivered both at the Boston Spa hospice and in patients homes and a majority of funding comes from fundraising and donations.
To watch Hooriya’s full interview with Louis Theroux, visit the Martin House YouTube channel.