Life-changing story of Alex Lewis, of Greyhound on the Test pub, to air on Channel 4

By Hannah Thompson

- Last updated on GMT

(c) Alex-Lewis.co.uk
(c) Alex-Lewis.co.uk
A documentary featuring the story of Alex Lewis, the fiancé of Lucy Townsend ‒ owner of Michelin-recommended pub the Greyhound on the Test in Stockbridge ‒ who suffered a quadruple amputation following a Strep A infection, is to air on Channel 4 this evening.

The programme, which will be broadcast at 9pm, will tell the story of how Lewis rebuilt his life following a devastating diagnosis of Strep A infection in 2013, which eventually led to a quadruple amputation and the rebuilding of Lewis’ lips and mouth.

It will also document how his illness – which came on after Lewis believed he merely had a common cold and saw him given just a 3% chance of survival ‒ forced Lewis to spend more time with Townsend and their son.

Townsend, whose seven-bedroom inn was named Michelin Pub of the Year in 2014, has also recently set up a catering company attached to the business, named Wilds. Despite the demands of Lewis’ illness, she is still very much involved in the day-to-day running of both operations.

Since Lewis’ amputations, the couple has also become involved with organisations involved in ensuring better prosthetics for amputees injured by war, and has also set up the Alex Lewis Trust to raise money for his lifelong care. The infection, which is incredibly rare and sometimes attacks people with poor immune systems (although Lewis didn’t especially fall into that category), was thought to be down to pure bad luck.  

Both Townsend and Lewis have previously said that Lewis’ illness has actually been a positive influence on their business and family life, forcing them to address their work-life balance and their time together as a unit.

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