In a profoundly moving episode of ITV's beloved series Long Lost Family, viewers are set to witness heart-wrenching reunions as individuals discover siblings they never knew existed. Presented by Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell, the show continues its mission to reconnect families separated by time and circumstance, delivering emotional revelations that leave participants and audiences alike in tears.
A Lifelong Secret Unravels
The upcoming instalment follows the story of Jane Dundas, a 56-year-old woman from Wales who grew up believing she was an only child. Jane's quest to find her older brother began after a health scare made her realise the importance of family connections. She describes her late mother, Marion, as cold and distant, never expressing love openly. Jane explains, My mum never said I love you. She couldn't show emotion. She lived with a big secret.
The Truth Revealed
At age 18, Jane discovered the reason for her mother's behaviour: Marion had given birth to a son eleven months before Jane but gave him up for adoption. Jane recalls, She did love him. She told me she didn't want to give him away. But it was never spoken about again. Marion, unmarried at the time, came from a Welsh Baptist family with a preacher grandfather, which Jane believes pressured her into secrecy and adoption.
When Marion later fell pregnant with Jane, her friend Sandra encouraged her to inform her parents, who surprisingly offered support. Decades later, the Long Lost Family team successfully located Jane's brother, identified as Stephen Smith. In an exclusive clip, Davina McCall delivers the life-changing news to Jane, who breaks down in tears upon hearing, Your brother has been found. Overwhelmed, Jane asks repeatedly for confirmation, Is he really? Does he want to see me? Does he want to know? Davina reassures her, revealing his name is Steve, leaving Jane speechless with a simple, Oh wow.
Parallel Journeys of Discovery
The episode also features 64-year-old Jackie from Sussex, who learned at age twenty that she had a younger sister placed for adoption. Growing up with parents and two brothers, Jackie's world shifted after her parents' divorce when her mother disclosed the existence of this sibling but provided no further details. Jackie waited until her mother's passing to begin her search, driven by a deep longing. She expressed, I can’t just leave it. Knowing there’s someone out there, she’s my flesh and blood. I’m petrified of looking for her, being rejected. But I’ve just got to try.
A Sister Found
Jackie described her daily thoughts about her unknown sister, Every day she’s on my mind. I wake up thinking, 'Oh, is she awake? What’s she doing?' With only a date of birth to guide them, the team located her sister, Christine, who is married and lives in the Wirral. Christine shared her shock upon learning the news, It was just like an out of body experience... you’re sort of thinking 'No, seriously?'
When Davina informed Jackie, Your sister has been found, Jackie reacted with visible emotion, saying, Oh Davina. Oh my God, I’m so happy. That’s just the best news. Their reunion was intensely emotional, with Jackie exclaiming, Oh my God, I can’t stop looking at you. Honest, it’s like looking at my double.
Complex Family Histories
Further adding to the episode's depth, Scott Shearer's story unfolds as he searches for his estranged sister, Tina. Scott grew up in Aldershot believing his grandparents were his parents and his siblings were his aunts and uncles. At twelve, he discovered his biological mother was his older sister, Pauline, who had also given birth to twins and another girl. While Scott reunited with his mother and the twins, Tina remained missing.
Closing the Circle
Scott spoke of Tina with affection, She remains a mystery. An enigma. I have always felt a connection to her even though I have never met her. She is the first born of the clan. She is the big sister and I want her to know she’s always been in our minds. The team found Tina, a mother-of-two in Southampton, who was astonished, This is a massive surprise. It gives you a warmth knowing that somebody you didn’t know about is thinking about you.
Their first meeting was joyous, with Scott telling Tina, It’s like all your Christmases coming early. You are my big sister. This is one of the best days of my life. He emphasised, The most important thing is you were never forgotten. You were always in our thoughts. We have always loved you. You were missed.
Long Lost Family continues to captivate audiences with its powerful narratives of love, loss, and reunion. The series airs Thursdays on ITV1 and is available for streaming on ITVX, offering a testament to the enduring bonds of family.
