Andy Lee on how his mother's devastating illness brought their family closer.

Andy Lee: “I think great camaraderie comes through adversity.”

When radio star Andy Lee was a teenager, his mother was struck down by cerebral vasculitis, a debilitating condition that attacks the nervous system, leaving his mother hospitalised for almost a year.

“It attacks the brain, so Mum forgot how to walk and how to talk and who we all were.” Lee told Good Weekend, adding that he believes his mum was the first person in Australia to survive the illness.

Andy was only 15 when his mother was diagnosed with the condition, which she is still being treated for today.

Now 34, Andy is best known for hosting the Austereo network’s national drive show with his partner in comedic crime Hamish Blake.

Touted as two of the funniest men on radio, Blake and Lee both share a lot about their personal lives with their devoted listeners, but it’s not often that they show their sensitive sides.

Speaking with Lawrence Mooney, Andy and his younger sister, Alex Miles spoke candidly about how their mother’s illness brought their family together.

Family is something that continues to be important to the Lees. Andy and his girlfriend, model Rebecca Harding, regularly spend time with Andy’s family at home or at the Lee family beach house.

“We all spend every second weekend at the family beach house, and on Monday nights my girlfriend Rebecca and I hold a movie night at our place with Alex, Paul, Cam and his partner.” Lee said. “I think great camaraderie comes through adversity.”

His younger sister Alex Miles, 32, a playwright, is married to Andy’s childhood friend Paul and the pair recently welcomed their first child.

Andy is thrilled that his sister has ended up with one of his best mates.

“I’m not particularly fond of weddings but I really enjoyed Al-pal’s two years ago. She had a big bus to take us to the venue at the Fitzroy Town Hall so everyone was travelling together. It felt like a festival.”

It’s clear that the siblings are equally proud of one another, with Miles raving about her brother’s talent and work ethic.

“Andy has always been a hard worker. He had a delivery round with a chemist when he was 12 and earned $5.50 a day. After he finished, he would buy a Cherry Ripe for 50 cents and deposit the rest in his bank account. He’d use the pocket money to take me to the movies every now and then, which I didn’t fully appreciate at the time.”

Miles is also proud of Hamish and Andy’s radio success, praising her brother for remaining humble and describing him as “a big dork” who loves chatting to people about their stories.

“We thought it was hilarious when he was named Cleo’s Bachelor of the year in 2006.”

Do you and your siblings get on as well as Andy and Alex?