That sent a massive shiver down my spine. The ATCO deserves all the accolades in the world; he remained calm and offered great assistance without maxing out the pilot with autogabble - just how do you remain that calm in that situation?
There is an interesting thread under Flight Ops, Crewing and Dispatch titled ATC Fam flights..are they welcome? (sorry not sure how to link them) where some pilot from the USA (SouthwestLUV) makes some pretty damming and derogitory comments about fam flights. This is one situation where a pilot has had cause to thank ATC for helping him to be around to make the decision whether or not to fly again. Don't get me wrong, an odd fam flight will never make us ATCOs cockpit experts but the odd snippet of information gleaned from the experience will invariably sow a seed in his/her mind which might grow with experience, interest and enthusiasm and enable them provide such vital assistance one day.
Well done mate .... you ARE a star!!