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A STAR of hit TV series The Walking Dead made a young cancer patient’s day by giving him a video call.

Norman Reedus, who plays zombie hunter Daryl Dixon, spent half an hour chatting to Leon Rendle via Skype after hearing he was a fan of the horror show.

He even signed off the surprise call by leaving the 16-year-old his personal number and inviting Leon to call him any time he wanted.

The Hibs fan, of Edinburgh, was diagnosed with incurable Ewing’s sarcoma, a bone and soft tissue cancer, in 2013.

He’d been having treatment at the city’s Western General Hospital when he mentioned he is a fan of the US drama.

When his outreach nurse, Nicola Davison, heard he had tickets for the Walker Stalker convention in London next month but couldn’t go because he’s too ill, she got in touch with Reedus to ask if he would call Leon.

The actor, who has 2.4million Twitter followers, was more than happy to oblige. He called Leon at home last Tuesday and they chatted about the show.

The teenager’s mum, Nicky, said the call boosted her son’s spirits just when he needed it most, adding: “It was incredible. Norman Reedus was so nice. Leon has been buzzing for days.

“They spoke at first for around 10 minutes and then the line was cut off, probably because of the terrible snow they were having in New York at the time.

“We thought that was it but then he called back and chatted with Leon for another while.

“He was at home and showed Leon his cat and his Walking Dead pinball machine.

“Norman Reedus is going to be at the convention, and I had bought tickets because I knew Leon would love it but he’s not well enough to go. The nurse said she couldn’t make any promises but she was going to try to see if she could make contact with him.

“We weren’t holding out any hope but next thing she’d had an email back from his manager to say he’d love to talk to Leon.”

Nicky added: “He said to Leon, ‘You’ve got my number, I’m around all the time, just call me whenever you want.’

“Leon was quite star-struck and forgot to ask half the questions he wanted to, so he’s going to try to get back in touch with him.”

The boost came after a string of bad news for Leon, who last year had his hopes of travelling to America dashed after insurance firms refused to cover him for

his trip.

And despite months of treatment, doctors recently broke the news that the cancer had spread to his head and his neck.

It was a major blow, coming just weeks after the results from a trial drug had shown an improvement in his condition.

Further tumours have also been found on his spine, leaving Leon unable to walk.

Nicky said: “Leon has had a hard time recently but this has really lifted his spirits.

“It’s incredible that a big star like Norman Reedus took time out to do this. We are so grateful.”