Actor Blair Underwood's mother was thrilled when he signed up to play disabled detective Ironside on Tv because she has been confined to a wheelchair with Multiple Sclerosis.

The Posse star's mum has been battling the disease for a decade and spending days in a wheelchair as his new Tv character has helped the actor understand exactly what her life is like.

He says, "She was very moved when she saw me like that. It has opened up many conversations we never had before."