TV celebrity Trevor Neal’s winning appearance on BBC’s Pointless Celebrities gave him a chance to pay tribute to the emergency service crews and “surf hero” Dave Melmoth, who helped save the life of his teenage daughter Carys last November.

With screen partner Simon Hickson, the comedy duo were children’s TV favourites on Saturday morning BBC1 shows Going Live and Live & Kicking in the 1980s and 1990s.

The pair won Saturday’s Pointless Celebrities, when Trevor, from Broadstairs, nominated Surf Life Saving GB as his charity.

He said it reflected the part Dave Melmoth, owner of Joss Bay Surf School and J B Surf Store, Broadstairs, had played in rescuing his daughter Carys Williams, who plunged head first from Margate Harbour wall and suffered life threatening head injuries. She hit a boat before falling into the water.

Around 40 members of the emergency services were involved in the night-time operation to transfer her to King’s College Hospital, London, including coastguards, Margate lifeboat, paramedics, firefighters, police and Kent Air Ambulance.

Trevor told Pointless presenter Alexander Armstrong: “Just before Christmas my daughter fell into Margate Harbour. There was a guy on the spot, Dave
Melmoth, who just happened to be a surf hero, life-saver and water safety expert.

“I think he saved her life pretty much. He deserves a mention and if we can get some money for his charity, that will be fantastic.” Trevor revealed that Carys, 18, who made a miraculous recovery from her injuries, was in the audience.

Speaking after the programme, Trevor said: “Carys was in an induced coma for two weeks and things were very touch-and-go.

“She had a serious brain injury, but the people who rescued her and the critical care staff at Kings were fantastic.”

Carys came out of her coma and came home to her family on Christmas Eve.

Trevor said: “Carys was still quite poorly but she is a big fan of Christmas.

“She was determined to go back to school, which she did in February, and managed to get four A-level passes.

“Her recovery has been unbelievable and she didn’t suffer any lasting physical injuries.”

Trevor said the family, including Carys’s twin sister Etta, had “been through it”.

He said: “It was a difficult time for everyone, but it is thanks to the on-the-spot rescue and the fantastic support of friends and family. Her recovery has been unbelievable. I am eternally grateful and I did want to thank everyone publicly.”

Mr Melmoth is a lifeguard trainer and assessor for Surf Life Saving GB, a charity representing thousands of volunteers who help keep beaches safer.

He said: “I was surprised that my name was mentioned on the programme and it was quite an honour, but there were many people involved.”

Mr Melmoth, who had 10 years’ coastguard experience and four with the RNLI, said the rescue of Carys had been the most challenging he had been involved with due to her position and the serious nature of her injuries.