Real Life: Lin and Ralph - a Love Story (ITV1, Sunday); Johnny & Denise - Passport to Paradise (BBC1, Saturday): THE heart-warming tale of Lin and Ralph proved to any cynics out there that love really does conquer all. They have been married for 17 years - she is blind and has cerebral palsy while he is in the early stages of Parkinson's disease.

Despite his failing health, Ralph is Lin's main carer but more importantly he is her soulmate.

When Lin was born her mother was advised to dump her because of her health - she refused and brought up a fiercely independent and cheerful woman.

Lin never expected to fall in love but she hadn't counted on there being someone as wonderful as Ralph being in the world.

He doesn't view his wife as a burden - he doesn't even say she is disabled - in his mind Lin is simply 'someone who needs a little bit of help.'

On their first date, he took her out for a meal and didn't flinch when asked to cut up her food or help her to the toilet.

Their relationship developed and even got over some unusual obstacles (her glass eye fell out during one romantic clinch) before they tied the knot.

With a wickedly sly grin she proudly said they got up to all the usual antics on their honeymoon even though they found the accommodation challenging because of her disabilities.

But rather than vowing to stay at home in future, Lin started up a charity to set up holiday chalets for the disabled and her tireless work led to her being awarded the MBE.

Somehow among all this, the couple have found the energy to launch a lawsuit against an airline they claim treated Lin badly when they were flying on charity business.

As Lin's condition deteriorates she is in constant pain and is fearful how she will cope when Ralph, who is 20 years her senior, dies.

But she doesn't give up because however bad things get, at the moment she does still have her knight in shining armour by her side.

There are a lot of inspiring stories out there but few are as touching as this old fashioned tale of love.

Lin cries sometimes (don't we all) but refuses to complain - she is determined to achieve anything and everything she wants.

Watching this beautiful and sensitively-made documentary was truly humbling and a real inspiration.

Less inspiring were Johnny and Denise who have tried really hard to make their Saturday night show Passport to Paradise a success.

It has been a hit and miss series but over the last six weeks has produced some good ideas.

It would be a shame if these too talented entertainers were not given the chance to develop what they have already started - after all Rome (and Crinkly Bottom for that matter) wasn't built in a day.

Published: ??/??/2004