Long Lost Family viewers can expect more heartbreak in next week's episode, as presenter Davina McCall makes a poignant announcement. The September 3rd instalment of the ITV show introduces 77-year-old Avril, who lives in Newcastle near her daughter Sharon and granddaughter Grace. Avril had another child, Michelle, whom she gave up when the baby was just eight weeks old.
Avril was 15 when she fell pregnant after a brief relationship with a boy at a dance. She was taken to a mother-and-baby home in Carlisle to give birth in secret. She admitted: “I spent as much time with her as I could. I loved this child, it was my child. But we couldn’t afford to keep her.” She met Michelle’s adoptive parents and said her “whole heart was wrenched out”.
A Mother's Longing
On the show, Avril said: “My little girl, my little lass, I’ve shed some tears about her over the years – absolutely gorgeous. I had her until she was 8 weeks old so I haven’t seen her for nearly 62 years and I do love her still. I think about Michelle all the time. I’m her mam and I’ll always be her mam.”
Long Lost Family experts tracked down Michelle, whose name was changed to Eleanor by her adoptive parents. Eleanor had a happy childhood but admitted she “always thought” about her birth mother. She told Nicky Campbell she didn’t want to disrupt her life to find her birth mum, but eventually changed her mind.
An Emotional Reunion
Eleanor broke down in tears when Nicky told her that Avril kept her baby photo by her bed for decades, admitting: “Wow that's quite a lot to take in. I don’t think I can speak. Sorry I didn’t think I’d cry - I tend, I’m very good at keeping my emotions in.” She later read a letter from her birth mum which read: “The pain I lived with was indescribable when they took you from me. Still feel that pain today. I would give anything to see you and hold you again. Fill that empty gap and make my life complete. To be reunited with you, to fill my arms is my wish and my dream. I have always loved you. Love you always, Mam.”
It was up to Davina McCall to announce to Avril that the show had located her daughter, with the 77-year-old left in tears of her own. She was shown a photo of Eleanor, and said: “That's the most wonderful picture I'll ever hold. Oh my god I can’t wait to meet her and give her a hug.”
The pair were finally reunited on Eleanor’s birthday, with Avril telling her daughter: “There aren't any words to tell you, Eleanor. That I've always loved you and that you're still mine. You're my child.”
