A PORT Glasgow man who suffered a massive heart attack and has battled cancer twice has been crowned Inverclyde’s greatest grandad.

Courageous David Alexander was nominated for the honour by his 15-year-old grandson Kane, who considers him a father figure.

The Port High pupil spoke movingly about his grandad, and in a heartfelt tribute, called him ‘one of the strongest and most loving people I know’.

David pulled in the most votes to be crowned the Greatest Grandad, while Rina Keogh was named greatest granny in our new Tele family competition.

David, 60, of Mid Avenue, said: “I feel very honoured by this.

“Kane is a great boy and it was nice of him to nominate me. 

“I see him as a son and I have always tried to be there for him since he was a baby.”

David and his wife Anne have helped daughter Julie bring up Kane since he was five months old.

David and Kane have bonded over their love of homing pigeons.

Kane, who lives in Westray Avenue, said: “He is special to me because he has always been there for me throughout my life.

“He’s the only dad I’ve ever known.

“He is one of the strongest and loving people I know and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without him. 

“He’ll always be ‘dad’ in my eyes – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

David has faced life-threatening illnesses three times after suffering a heart attack 16 years ago.

He ended up in the Glasgow Royal and had to have a quadruple bypass to save his life.

David was then diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after doctors found two lumps in his throat.

He faced months of treatment, but then in 2014 the cancer made a return, this time in his lungs.

This time it was so close to his spine that doctors couldn’t give him radiotherapy.

But David’s fighting spirit has pulled him through and he lives as full a life as possible, despite his health problems.

The winning grandad added: “It is hard to get out and about because I am short of breath and I rely on my car.”

David and Anne, who has suffered severe depression and anxiety, raised four daughters  – Kelly, 36, Julie, 34, Helen, 33, and Stacey 31.

Kane’s mum Julie, who is the manager at the James Watt pub, said: “I think after having four daughters, my dad was delighted to have a grandson! 

“My dad has had some hard times but the house is always full of laughter and carry on. He is great fun.

“I am very proud of Kane for nominating him, they are very close.

“My mum and dad have been great.”