Bradley Lowery 'no longer responsive', family of cancer-stricken six-year-old announces

Little boy, who became friends with footballer Jermain Defoe, is fighting neuroblastoma and has 'only a few days' to live

Bradley Lowery's family have confirmed he does not have long left to live

Bradley Lowery, the six-year-old boy fighting terminal cancer, is no longer responsive but is still “listening to everything”, his family have said.

In an update on his Facebook page, the young Sunderlan fan's family said he had a “settled day” but was now “unresponsive” even though “he is fighting so hard”.

It said: "Bradley has had a settled day, he is no longer responsive but we know he is listening to everything we say. He is fighting so hard it's heartbreaking for us to watch.

"When the time comes there will be a update on his page first before anywhere else.

"Thank you for all your kind words and support."

Bradley was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer which primarily affects babies and young children and usually attacks the adrenal glands which control the kidneys, when he was just 18 months.

He fought the cancer for two years before going into remission. In July 2016, his family received the devastating news the cancer had come back.

His parents originally began the Facebook page to raise money for him to receive treatment abroad but his condition has progressed to the point where it is terminal.

Earlier this week, Bradley’s mother Lynn said he was “very close to going with the angels”.

The post came just hours after Bradley’s “best friend”, footballer Jermain Defoe, broke down in tears as he paid tribute to the little boy in a press conference.

Defoe, who played for Sunderland until signing for Bournemouth, has regularly gone to visit Bradley in hospital since the boy got to walk out as a mascot at the start of an England match holding his hand.

In the press conference Defoe said: "It has been difficult.

"It has been hard because I've been keeping this in for so long, trying to be strong for my family and his family.

"I don't really know how to put into words how I feel. It has been a special time having that relationship with Brad.

"I speak to the family every day, I was with them a few days ago and it was tough to see him suffer like that.

"I felt I was prepared for it after what I went through with my dad but it was so tough to see a kid of that age who has been going through this for so long and got to the stage where he is obviously struggling.”

He said Bradley “only has a matter of days” but “will always be in my heart for the rest of my life”.