For the past 25 years children’s charity the Starlight Children’s Foundation has been making wishes come true for seriously ill children. Now a 10-part series Starlight: For The Children goes behind the scenes to reveal the charity’s work, and showing some of the children as their wishes come true.
Former Dynasty actress Emma Samms set up Starlight along with her cousin, and tells TV Choice why it’s so close to her heart…

Where did Starlight have its origins?
It really started because when I was a child I had a brother Jamie who died of a disease called aplastic anaemia. As you can imagine my parents were distraught and there was nothing I could do other than make them a cup of tea. I grew up with that immense sadness but also the frustration of not being able to do anything. So when I found myself in a career that I’ve been very lucky with, it gives you the most extraordinary ability to approach people. It’s a platform to get things done and I just thought use it for something very close to my heart. And in a strange way it’s been very therapeutic to me because now I feel if I couldn’t help my family, at least I’m helping other families who are going through something that I’m all too familiar with.

So in a sense, is Starlight an enduring legacy for your brother Jamie?
It is and that’s the most fantastically pleasing thing. He only lived eight years but his effect on this world is greater than any of us will have. His eight years really made so much happen and affected so many people in a positive way. I think that it’s my tribute to him because he was the most extraordinary little boy — unbelievably smart and kind, as well as being very beautiful. Now people are still talking about him and I love that.

It sounds clichéd, but is Starlight: For The Children a rollercoaster of emotions?
It’s true though. It’s very watchable. For example, if anybody likes The Secret Millionaire, they will love this show. If anybody loves children, they will love this show. If anybody likes celebrities, they will love this show. It’s got everything really.

Was it difficult to choose which stories should feature in Starlight: For The Children?
The most important thing was that the families were entirely comfortable with being part of it. The same with the celebrities who were granting wishes, because we have many celebrities and public figures who participate and wouldn’t want to be filmed doing it. The families and wishes were chosen very carefully so that it would enhance their experience to be on television.

When you see and meet the children that Starlight helps, how difficult is it to keep your emotions in check?
Oh, I’m rubbish, especially since I’ve had my own children. I can’t help it but put myself in the place of the parents, and it’s heart-breaking. It’s unimaginable what the whole family is going through, but when you can actually do something, then it’s bearable. And that is I guess what Starlight’s all about.

Is there one story or child that stands out for you over the years?
There are so many. There’s the poignancy of a little boy who had been in hospital so long that his imagination could only make him wish to go outside. There was a little boy who wanted to see the latest Harry Potter film that was only in cinemas. He was so ill he had days left. We managed to organise Warner Bros to get us a DVD for his hospital room and bless him he watched it three or four times in the two days he had left and it gave him just that little bit of pleasure.

We have a lot of wishes for Disneyland, and for computers. We have wishes that are quite challenging, like a little girl who wanted to see a rainbow. We racked our brains and then sent her to Niagra Falls because on a sunny day there are rainbows all over the place. She sat and counted them bless her. The imagination of children is extraordinary and we do our best to make them happen.

Is Starlight what you are proudest of?
My two children number one, and Starlight number two. It’s just very satisfying to know that my very lucky career has been useful.

You’re best known for playing Fallon in Dynasty. What was that like?
There is not one country I’ve travelled to, and I’ve travelled a lot, where people have not recognised me from Dynasty, including the Galapagos Islands, where I believe only one of the islands is inhabited and there are only about three televisions! That was a big shock. Dynasty was a huge show and my children have no clue as to the size of it.

It must be great that CBS Drama is repeating Dynasty, which shows its appeal.
Well, it’s great and it isn’t great because how embarrassing is that when you’re flicking through the channels and there’s you in some ridiculous outfit with some ridiculous hair do staring back at you?! I hate watching myself. I’ve got DVDs on my shelf that I haven’t watched yet because I just don’t like to watch myself. It’s very off putting.

What do your children make of it when they see you on TV?
They are not really interested and that’s perfect. My career is a very minute, fractional part of their life and that’s how I intended it to be. It’s why I haven’t worked much since I’ve had them. It’s embarrassing enough to be the mother of your children anyway, let alone if you are out in the public eye. That’s mortifying to them.

How do you look back on your time on Dynasty?
I’m not the slightest bit embarrassed about having been on Dynasty. I’m very proud of it. Yes, it was pretty camp stuff but it really captured the Eighties perfectly. Who would have thought it would become as iconic as it has? We really entertained people for many years and that’s something to be proud of. We weren’t finding the cure for cancer, but there’s room in the world for entertaining and distracting people as well.

What other work is next?
I did an American movie in Bulgaria just before Christmas. It’s a horror film with a chap who is the star of Warehouse 13. I play a police chief and there are many murders. And I’m going to have an exhibition of my art work later this year, as long as I get the drawings finished. I do very detailed pen and ink drawings of animals and birds. I’ve been very lucky and sold my work in Britain and America. I sold one to Sir Philip Green who has it up in his office. Every time I go to his office I make sure it’s still there! But do you know what the best thing about my career as an artist is? I can do it at home in my pyjamas!

Nick Fiaca

To refer a child for a Starlight wish or to make a donation, go to www.starlight.org.uk or telephone 020 7262 2881