- 7 weeks ago
Long Lost Family
Long Lost Family (2011) S15E02
Long Lost Family (2011) Season 15 Episode 2
Category
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FunTranscript
00:00my father grabbed me off my mother because I was in her arms the train pulled away I've
00:14never seen my mother again out of the blue he just said I just want to make sure mom told you
00:23the family secret every year thousands of people come to us looking for missing family she's my
00:32sister she's loved and she needs to know that she's loved sometimes it's to solve a mystery
00:39that's troubled them for decades I'm petrified of looking for her I've just got to try or to end
00:48the torment of what they don't know any siblings any answers any anything be great so imagine the
00:57moment hi Alan hi Davina when the burning questions can finally be answered my father has been found
01:06reuniting families who've spent a lifetime apart
01:19our first searcher was just 19 when she faced the agonizing decision to place her son for
01:39adoption in the hope of giving him a better life she's never stopped wondering if she made the right
01:45choice I would look at him and think you deserve better because what you would be going home to
01:56I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy my personal feelings that I had to put them to one side
02:04otherwise I couldn't have done that I couldn't have done it
02:1064 year old teaching assistant Paula Cottrell is married with a grown-up daughter Emma
02:25Paula grew up in Liverpool with her parents and her four brothers and sisters
02:32so I was the middle child my parents were very hard-working but it was quite an unstable childhood
02:45because my parents were both drinkers
02:50in every single way we were neglected
02:56rats in the kitchen dirty dishes and clothes everywhere there was verbal abuse physical abuse
03:09you're supposed to be safe at home and unfortunately it was a place where we were frightened
03:16at the age of 19 Paula got a summer job as a barmaid at a local holiday camp
03:27we lived on site it was absolutely great
03:32I met a young man very good looking I was looking for affection and attention this was one person
03:43that showed that showed that to me so I grabbed onto that with both hands
03:47I'd been seeing this young man for a good few months
03:54and I found out that I was expecting a baby
04:01I thought so what am I going to do what am I going to do
04:08and I told him and he disappeared so I was left alone
04:16today Paula is going back to the mother and baby home near Manchester
04:22where she spent her pregnancy safe from the chaos of her parents home
04:26I didn't know where to go but I knew it's not going to be there
04:32the only other option was adoption
04:36so I went to the mother and baby home
04:39for many women these homes are remembered without fondness
04:44but for Paula it provided a refuge
04:47it's been a long time
04:50and this place actually helped me with all the decisions I had to make
05:01it gave me peace, time to reflect
05:05and actually think about the decision that it was a right one
05:10so it's quite emotional
05:13In July 1980 Paula gave birth to a baby boy she named Lee
05:21He was tiny
05:27and his hair was silver blonde
05:30and he stayed with me for two days
05:34he was wrapped up at the side of my bed
05:39I was just looking at him thinking
05:42I'm so sorry
05:44but you, I can't, you can't stay with me
05:49and even 45 years later
05:55that still hurts
05:59it's not his fault
06:01it's mine
06:03Lee was taken into foster care
06:08then a few weeks later
06:11Paula received an unexpected opportunity
06:14My social worker contacted me
06:18and she said
06:20we have found a couple
06:22who are wanting to adopt a child
06:26would you like to meet them?
06:29and I went
06:30absolutely
06:31they were very down to earth people
06:36very attentive to me
06:38My answer was
06:42yes I'm very happy
06:44with this couple
06:45She started crying
06:49He said
06:51excuse me
06:51I've got to go and telephone my mum
06:54it's the first grandchild
06:55The adoptive couple said
07:00we will call him
07:02Paul
07:03after you
07:04Paula
07:05they could have changed their mind
07:07in the future
07:08but it made me feel important
07:10not a day goes by
07:13where I don't think of him
07:14I just want him to know
07:17that he was loved so much
07:21that that was the reason
07:23I made the decision
07:24but I've never forgotten him
07:27and he was loved
07:27When we took on Paula's search
07:33she knew that her son
07:34had originally been called
07:36Lee Cottrell
07:37and had probably
07:38been adopted
07:39in the Liverpool area
07:41but that's all she knew
07:43Our specialist intermediary
07:45applied to the
07:46General Register office
07:47to learn his new adoptive name
07:49The couple
07:51that Paula had met
07:52all those years ago
07:53had been true to their word
07:55They'd renamed her son
07:57Paul
07:58Our specialist intermediary
08:01also learned where he now lived
08:03He was still
08:04in Liverpool
08:05Paul has got no idea
08:14that his birth mother
08:15has thought about him
08:16every day
08:17yearned to see him again
08:19But what does he know
08:20about his birth mother
08:21and the difficult choice
08:23she had to make
08:24Paul lives with his husband
08:28Owen
08:28and works as a lecturer
08:29at a university
08:30I'm meeting him
08:32at a hotel
08:33near his home
08:34Paul how are you doing?
08:37Great
08:37lovely to meet you
08:38You too
08:39Thank you so much
08:39for meeting me
08:40Thank you
08:40When you initially
08:42got the contact
08:43from us
08:43that your birth mother
08:45was looking for you
08:46were you surprised?
08:48I was surprised
08:49because it came out
08:51of the blue
08:52My mum said straight away
08:53you should absolutely
08:55do what you feel
08:57is right for you
08:58So tell me about your parents
08:59Dad
09:01sadly passed away
09:03in December 2021
09:05Dad
09:06was
09:07such a character
09:08filled a room
09:10Mum
09:11has been
09:12just the most amazing mum
09:14that I could have ever asked for
09:16I have an amazing sister
09:19It was a house full of love
09:20and laughter
09:21What else do you know
09:22about your birth mother?
09:24I know that Paula's
09:26parents
09:27had some real severe issues
09:31with alcohol
09:32shall we say
09:33I know that Paula had gone to work
09:35in a holiday camp
09:37It was the first time
09:38that she found
09:39a sense of freedom
09:40and
09:41a bit of happiness
09:43When she got pregnant
09:44she went to a mother and baby home
09:46in Warrington
09:47because
09:48the domestic
09:50situation
09:51was horrendous
09:53thinking that
09:53it was going to be suitable
09:54for a baby
09:54The
09:55the level of pain
09:57Paula must have been experiencing
09:59must have been
10:00I've always wondered
10:03if Paula was
10:05okay
10:05She's married
10:06Okay
10:07Lovely
10:08She has a daughter
10:11I'm so glad
10:12You've never seen anyone
10:17have you
10:17that's genetically related to you
10:19No
10:19Would you like to?
10:22I'd love to
10:22Yeah
10:24I'd love to
10:25Oh wow
10:30Don't we look similar?
10:42Wow
10:44We've got a mole in the same place
10:47Well Paula has written a letter
10:50to you
10:52Okay
10:53For 45 years
11:02I have loved you
11:03and have so much wanted to find you
11:06but never wanted to intrude on your life
11:08I recognise you are now
11:11a grown man
11:12but
11:13to me
11:13I can still visualise
11:15your beautiful face
11:16and your silver blonde hair
11:18as a baby
11:18I've wondered
11:20what was your childhood like
11:22always hoping you were happy
11:24and enjoying
11:24all the special occasions
11:26in your life
11:26Thank you so much
11:30for your courtesy
11:30in reading my letter
11:32All my love
11:33Paula
11:33Wow
11:34Is this whole thing
11:48adding to your happiness?
11:51Absolutely
11:51Absolutely
11:53If I only get to say
11:57thank you
11:58for everything
11:58that you've given me
11:59then that will make me
12:01happy and content
12:02Amazing
12:04Thank you
12:05Hiya Mum
12:12How are you?
12:14Alright thanks
12:15Are you okay?
12:15It went really well Mum
12:16Yeah
12:18I've seen a photograph
12:20I look very similar
12:21to Paula
12:22Yes
12:24So definitely
12:25I've always known
12:26I'm proud of you
12:28Oh thanks Mum
12:29Okay
12:29Cheers Mum
12:30Love you
12:30Bye
12:31Bye
12:32But before we tell Paula
12:35the good news
12:35we turn to the story
12:37of a birth father
12:38whose experience
12:39was very different
12:40to hers
12:41Our next searcher
12:44had no say
12:46in the decision
12:46to place his daughter
12:47for adoption
12:48For 50 years
12:50all he's had
12:51are a few
12:52treasured memories
12:53of her
12:53When I first
12:59saw my daughter
13:00I'm thinking
13:01that's a baby
13:02and she can feel
13:03in the palm of my hand
13:05My daughter
13:09held my liquor
13:11finger
13:11and God
13:13her grip was hard
13:14and that was electrifying
13:16I thought
13:17there's nowhere on earth
13:19that I'm gonna let you go
13:20No way
13:21No way
13:22You're not going anywhere
13:23But I haven't seen
13:26Joanne since she was born
13:28Retired bus driver
13:38Justice Augustine
13:39was born in St. Lucia
13:41in 1956
13:42and for his first
13:44eight years
13:44he lived there
13:45with his grandmother
13:46She used to teach us
13:49how to cook
13:50and she was a brilliant cook
13:52Yeah I loved
13:53really
13:53fantastic
13:54So I enjoy cooking
13:56So I enjoy cooking
13:56Cooking brings the family together
13:58They love my cooking
14:01Hey Doug
14:03Hi Kay
14:04You okay?
14:05Yeah yeah
14:06Not a bad thing
14:07Thanks
14:08After Joanne
14:08Justice went on to get married
14:10and had five other children
14:12including Kezia
14:13the youngest
14:14Love you
14:15Love you too
14:16I told all my children
14:18from day one
14:19that they have an elder sister
14:21which was adopted
14:23and they all
14:25wanted me to find
14:26their sister
14:27Oh
14:28It would be nice if
14:29Joanne loves it as much as you do
14:31Yeah
14:31It would be nice if she took the
14:33cooking
14:34Jean
14:35Jean
14:36Yeah
14:37That's the one
14:38This is a photo of me
14:43in St Lucia
14:44My name said to me
14:45I need you to take this photo
14:47to send to your mum
14:48Justice's mother moved to the UK
14:52in the late 50s
14:53as part of the Windrush generation
14:54and that's how he came to live
14:56with his grandmother
14:57My friends and myself
14:59we were
14:59very mischievous
15:01But when Justice was eight
15:03his grandmother passed away
15:05His mother brought him
15:09to London in 1964
15:10He was 16
15:16when he met a girl
15:17at the fairground
15:18Her family was Irish
15:22We just had fun
15:24walking around
15:25She made me feel
15:26so comfortable
15:26She made me feel
15:28wanted
15:29And we started
15:31therein
15:32It just got better
15:33all the time
15:34But
15:36my girlfriend's father
15:38they kept it a secret
15:40from him
15:40My girlfriend told me
15:42that
15:42he wouldn't
15:43approve of me
15:45going out
15:46with his daughter
15:47you know
15:48because of the colour
15:52of my skin
15:53About two years
15:56into their relationship
15:57Justice's girlfriend
15:59told him
15:59she was pregnant
16:00We were both
16:02very frightened
16:03We didn't know
16:04what to do
16:05I said
16:06OK
16:06we'll wait
16:07And then
16:08she had to go
16:11to hospital
16:12to have the baby
16:13So yeah
16:14We couldn't hide it
16:17no more
16:17Justice was desperate
16:19to find a way
16:21of keeping their baby
16:22Some things
16:28comes back
16:29I remember
16:30that then
16:33my girlfriend
16:34used to ask me
16:35how is it going
16:36how
16:37are they
16:37good
16:38Oh God
16:40And I have to keep
16:45saying to her
16:46No, no luck
16:47No luck
16:48But Justice clung
16:52to the hope
16:52that he would
16:53find a way
16:54Justice Augustine
17:05is looking for
17:06the daughter
17:06he last saw
17:07here
17:07at the hospital
17:09where she was born
17:09He's come back
17:11for the first time
17:12in 50 years
17:13She was premature
17:15and in an incubator
17:16He and his girlfriend
17:18named her Joanne
17:19I rushed up there
17:21to see the baby
17:22and just seeing the baby
17:27so, so small
17:28She was a fighter
17:30I knew she would survive
17:32you know
17:33I just wanted to do
17:34everything for my daughter
17:35but I know
17:37we were so young
17:39and I know
17:41there might be complications
17:43Her dad
17:46he was very angry
17:48very, very, very angry
17:52My girlfriend said to me
17:55well, yeah
17:56her dad is gonna
17:57have the baby adopted
17:59I thought I would have
18:01the baby
18:01with me and my mom
18:02I asked the authorities
18:04and they said
18:05my mom was too old
18:06to have the baby
18:07I was being
18:08knocked back
18:09all the time
18:10It's not like
18:11I did not want
18:13my daughter
18:13It's not like
18:14you know
18:15I walked away
18:17I tried everything
18:18everything
18:20But all of Justice's efforts
18:23were in vain
18:24After
18:25Joanne was adopted
18:28her mom
18:30moved away
18:31and I lost touch
18:33In 2024
18:39Kezia had a breakthrough
18:41and found Joanne's
18:42birth certificate
18:43online
18:44I'm looking at
18:46the birth record here
18:47and I'm so happy
18:48the fact that
18:50Joanne's name
18:51is Joanne
18:52Augustine
18:54which is my surname
18:55which is just
18:56it's just
18:59magical
19:00magic
19:00It's there
19:01in black and white
19:03I have a feeling
19:04of goosebumps
19:06Me too
19:07It's like surreal
19:08Yes
19:09I'm surprised
19:09you haven't printed it out
19:10and framed it
19:11Yeah
19:12The fuck did occur to me
19:14From the day she was born
19:20I've been thinking about Joanne
19:22It's important for me
19:23to see her
19:24and just give her
19:25the hug that
19:26I couldn't give her
19:27when she was born
19:29As Justice had
19:36Joanne's birth registration
19:38the first thing
19:39we needed to find out
19:40was her new
19:41adoptive name
19:42We discovered
19:44that her name
19:44had been changed
19:45to Jane
19:46and she'd been
19:47adopted in London
19:48Using specialist
19:50databases
19:51a social worker
19:52looked to see
19:53where she now was
19:55And they found her
19:56still in London
19:57living just
19:58a few miles
19:59away from her birth father
20:09It's very important
20:11to Justice
20:12that Jane knows
20:13how much
20:13he wanted to keep her
20:15What I want to know
20:17is what that means
20:19to Jane
20:20and how does she feel
20:22about the fact
20:22that her birth father
20:23has come looking for her
20:25Jane
20:32Hi Nicky
20:33How are you doing?
20:34Nice to meet you
20:35Really nice to meet you
20:36Come in
20:36I should follow you
20:37Thank you
20:38So thank you so much
20:40for seeing me
20:41No
20:42Thank you for
20:44you know
20:45being here
20:46Was this a surprise?
20:48Massively
20:49Well listen
20:50I've got so much to say
20:51and there's so much
20:52that you want to find out
20:53The most important thing
20:54I've got to tell you
20:54is that
20:55he has
20:56wanted this
20:57from the second
20:59that you were born
21:00Wow
21:01That's
21:04yeah
21:05that's a lot to take in
21:06What were you told
21:07about your adoption?
21:09Mum and dad
21:09had a
21:10file
21:11on my adoption
21:12so they've got
21:13all the
21:14original paperwork
21:15of my medical form
21:17Where did you grow up?
21:18I grew up
21:19just outside of Dover
21:20Were they good mum and dad?
21:21Oh yeah
21:22very loving
21:23very supportive
21:24My parents
21:25who raised me
21:26made me who I am today
21:28but I want to find out
21:31who I am
21:32also from
21:33my other side
21:35I've got lots of things
21:36to tell you
21:36lots of details
21:37lots of things
21:38that have been
21:38Justice
21:39and your birth mother
21:40met at a fun fair
21:41but
21:42my father
21:43refused to
21:44accept the fact
21:46that his daughter
21:48was
21:49with a black man
21:50Mmhmm
21:51And so when
21:54they found out
21:56your birth mother
21:57was pregnant
21:58they tried to
21:58tried to hide it
21:59Yeah
22:00But eventually
22:00it came out
22:01and of course
22:01her father
22:02freaked out
22:03Yeah
22:05And that's why
22:06the adoption
22:06was ordered
22:07so
22:07it's another reason
22:10for how upset
22:11Justice was about it
22:13Because he had no
22:15Power
22:16Yeah
22:17He had no say
22:18in
22:18the decision
22:20of what was
22:20going to happen
22:21to me
22:21No
22:22The last time
22:23he saw you
22:23You were in
22:25the incubator
22:26And he put
22:28his hand
22:28into the incubator
22:29Yeah
22:30And your little
22:32your little hand
22:34your little fist
22:35grabbed his finger
22:37tightly
22:37Oh wow
22:38And that's a moment
22:40he's carried with him
22:41forever
22:41I'm holding my fingers
22:44tightly now
22:44I'll do the same action
22:46Oh you're doing it
22:46Yeah
22:47That's right
22:48You're doing it
22:49Yeah
22:51And so
22:52you've never seen
22:52a photo
22:53of anyone
22:54that you are
22:55actually related to
22:58Never
22:58Give me a hand
23:00You alright?
23:04Yeah
23:04I'm okay
23:05I'm okay
23:06You have got
23:07a very firm
23:07I'm not letting go
23:10Oh wow
23:13Oh my god
23:16Wow
23:19Wow
23:22I need to take
23:24my glasses off
23:25Wow
23:27He's got my eyes
23:29And probably
23:31the shape of my face
23:32as well
23:33Wow
23:34That's my dad
23:35And I had to
23:39finally see
23:40somebody that
23:42looks like me
23:44You're feeling
23:45better aren't you?
23:46Yeah
23:46Yeah
23:47Yeah
23:47Wow
23:51He's got
23:52beautiful writing
23:53Dear Joanne
23:56I have thought
23:58about you
23:59every day
24:00since the moment
24:01you were born
24:01There are no words
24:04to fully capture
24:06how much you have been
24:08in my heart
24:09My hopes have always been
24:12that you were given
24:13the best life possible
24:16one full of love
24:17opportunities
24:18and happiness
24:19With all my love
24:21justice
24:22the person who loves you
24:24infinitely
24:25It's a lot to take in
24:28I want to meet him
24:29I'm excited to meet him
24:31and that feeling of
24:33of completeness
24:37You'll be complete
24:38Mm-hmm
24:38You all right?
24:47Yeah, yeah, yeah
24:48I don't know
24:49I do
24:50Happy tears
24:52How are you?
25:03You all right?
25:04OK
25:04Yeah
25:05What have you got
25:08to show her?
25:09You ready?
25:10Mm-hmm
25:10OK
25:11Oh my gosh
25:17Look at the eyes
25:19Yeah
25:20It's the eyes
25:21I can see you
25:22in him instantly
25:23Mm-hmm
25:25Like even the vibe
25:26Oh babes
25:27Mine's full circle
25:29It is full circle
25:30It's really full circle
25:31Oh my gosh
25:32Paula Cottrell is searching
25:44for her son
25:45who she'd placed
25:46for adoption
25:46when she was just
25:4719 years old
25:48Paula has spent
25:57decades
25:58thinking about
26:00her son
26:00worrying about
26:02the kind of life
26:03that he's had
26:04and today
26:05I get to tell her
26:07everything
26:08she so
26:09needs to know
26:10Hello Davine
26:17Hi Paula
26:17How are you?
26:18Very well
26:19Please come in
26:19Thank you
26:20Thanks so much
26:21Thanks Paula
26:25How have you been?
26:28Erm
26:28It has been very difficult
26:30For the fact that
26:32it's been years
26:33I've kept the emotions
26:34and feelings down
26:36What are the things
26:37that worry you
26:38the most?
26:40That he had a good
26:41childhood
26:41and he was happy
26:43Yeah
26:43Yeah
26:44At that time
26:45I could not provide that
26:46I think one of the things
26:49that hit me the most
26:50was that you in fact
26:52let go of your baby
26:54after two days
26:55I knew that the decision
26:57I'd made
26:58I had to go through with that
27:00there was no other option
27:01No
27:01But I needed
27:03to see him
27:04and hold him
27:05Cos he was mine
27:06He was mine
27:08I have actually come here
27:11because I have
27:12got a bit of news for you
27:13Your son has been found
27:16I don't believe that
27:25I don't erm
27:29I'm sorry
27:32I just don't erm
27:34quite
27:35Is it real?
27:39It's real
27:39He'd love to meet you
27:43I never thought
27:44I'm so surprised
27:46I never ever thought
27:48that this was happening
27:49And it has
27:51Oh
27:51To be there
27:52He's called Paul
27:55They did
27:56honour their promise
27:58They did
27:58To you
27:59and they called him Paul
28:01Oh my goodness
28:02That was so kind of them
28:03wasn't it?
28:05I want to know
28:07if he had a good childhood
28:09and he was happy
28:10and he was loved
28:12cherished
28:13He was
28:15Oh thank goodness
28:16Oh thank goodness for that
28:19They told him that
28:20he was adopted
28:21from a very early age
28:23and that he was chosen
28:25Ah
28:26And he was special
28:28he was
28:28he felt very loved
28:29in his adoption
28:30That is wonderful
28:32Yeah
28:33He's married to Owen
28:34and they live together
28:36in Liverpool
28:37Been together for 21 years
28:38Ah
28:40I wanted him
28:41to have a good life
28:42and to make something
28:43of his life
28:44and to be happy
28:45He is
28:47one of the
28:47head lecturers
28:48at
28:49Liverpool John Moores University
28:51Really?
28:53Yeah he's a senior lecturer
28:54Oh wow
28:56I have a photo of him
29:01to give to you
29:02Oh
29:03This is huge isn't it?
29:07Huge
29:07This
29:08This is your son
29:10Paul
29:11Ah
29:13And he's
29:19lovely
29:21he's wonderful
29:21he's gorgeous
29:22He's got my eyes
29:29I think he looks
29:31so like you
29:31He looks like me
29:33doesn't he
29:33He does
29:34The adopted parents
29:36I owe them
29:37her a big debt
29:39I owe them a debt
29:41and I appreciate
29:42everything they've done
29:43Gosh
29:44Oh thank you
29:45my lovely
29:45Oh
29:47Thank you
29:50love
29:50Today
30:03Paula is meeting
30:04her son
30:05who she'd placed
30:06for adoption
30:0745 years ago
30:08I've waited
30:10and dreamt
30:11of this moment
30:13It's sinking in
30:15a little
30:15but
30:16it's quite surreal
30:17but I
30:19I don't want
30:20to disappoint him
30:21Good morning
30:24There's a fear
30:34of
30:35will she like me
30:36will I like her
30:38It's one of the biggest
30:40days of my life
30:41and I'm about
30:42to meet
30:43my birth mum
30:44Can't get much
30:47bigger than that
30:48Paul is being
30:51supported by his
30:52adoptive mum
30:52Christine
30:53So how are you
30:54feeling?
30:55It's a big thing
30:56It's huge
30:57but overall
30:58I'm feeling excited
30:59delighted that
31:00I've got you with me
31:01and how are you
31:02feeling?
31:03I'm okay
31:03I don't want you
31:05worrying about me
31:06And I'll see you soon
31:08Love you
31:08I love you too
31:09Love you more
31:10Bye
31:12Bye
31:13Paula and Paul
31:15are meeting
31:15at a hotel
31:16in Liverpool
31:16It's been a long
31:23time waiting
31:23for this moment
31:24so I'm
31:26eager
31:27to get there
31:28A bit more nervous
31:48now
31:48I'm still excited
31:49but a bit more
31:50nervous
31:50and now
32:09I asked
32:13to talk to you
32:13Oh thank you so much
32:23for coming Paul
32:24You're so welcome
32:26Look at our faces
32:27I'm definitely yours
32:29I've waited so long
32:35Grab a seat
32:36Shall we
32:36Thank you
32:36Oh wow
32:41Wow you
32:41Oh so lovely
32:44You've got my eyes
32:45Definitely
32:46I appreciate
32:47you coming
32:48to see me
32:50My mum and dad
32:51always
32:52talked about you
32:53with great respect
32:54and
32:54Wow
32:55admiration
32:56and
32:56I always knew
32:58that if you did
32:59want to get in touch
33:01with me
33:01the answer
33:02was always
33:03going to be yes
33:04Thank you
33:04I've been desperate
33:05to explain
33:07to you
33:08the situation
33:10why
33:11there was no way
33:13I could
33:13take a baby home
33:15to them
33:16It was a living nightmare
33:17That's why I wanted
33:19to put you
33:20on a better road
33:22But when they
33:24took you away
33:25I don't think
33:26I've ever cried
33:27so hard
33:29you know
33:30cried
33:31and cried
33:32You gave me
33:34such a huge
33:34opportunity
33:35when
33:36you were probably
33:38going through
33:38the worst experience
33:39of your life
33:40Yeah
33:40And
33:41I always knew
33:42that you'd done
33:44the most selfless
33:44act ever
33:45My lovely boy
33:48Thank you for sharing
33:53all that with me
33:54I'm looking at you
33:56I'm
33:57I'm looking at me
33:58Absolutely
33:59I completely
34:00I completely
34:00completely get that
34:01When you said
34:02that you
34:03you worked
34:04in the university
34:05oh my word
34:06I've never been
34:08so proud
34:09in my life
34:10you know
34:12and I'm
34:12a teacher
34:13Go away
34:14All his teachers
34:16and a family
34:17Well I've got
34:18someone very special
34:19that I've brought
34:20with me today
34:21that I'd like you
34:22to meet
34:22Okay
34:23Christine
34:24Paula
34:26Christine
34:26That's it
34:27Wow Christine
34:31You okay?
34:33Yeah
34:33I'm good
34:34thanks
34:34I want this opportunity
34:38to thank you
34:41I am so
34:42so grateful
34:43and I've never
34:45stopped thinking of you
34:46Thank you so much
34:47Christine
34:48Thank you
34:49Aw
34:49Thank you
34:50Okay love
34:51Thanks
34:52It works both ways
34:53Thank you so much
34:54Aw
34:55Yeah it's my gift
34:57you see
34:57The opportunities
34:59that you could give
35:01Paul
35:02I always wanted
35:03him to have a child
35:04where he is seen
35:06and loved
35:06and wanted
35:07Oh he's seen
35:08loved and heard
35:09alright
35:09Just made up
35:14it went so well
35:15and it felt so natural
35:16I feel
35:18like a very
35:20very much
35:22loved person
35:22Super man
35:27I used to think
35:28I could fly
35:28He did really
35:30thought he could fly
35:31First school photo
35:33My goodness me
35:35He only thought
35:36he had to go for a day
35:37Now that's enough
35:38I've done it
35:38I've done it once
35:39What more do you want
35:40Oh look at this
35:44At 19
35:46that was a horrendous
35:48decision to make
35:49and seeing him now
35:51how proud I am
35:53I did the right thing
35:57My hope is for him
36:02to continue with his life
36:04and for me to be
36:07a little part of that
36:09that's enough for me
36:10Justice Augustine
36:21is looking for his
36:22firstborn child
36:23who was placed for adoption
36:24against his wishes
36:26For 50 years
36:39Justice has carried with him
36:42that precious memory
36:43of his little girl
36:44in the incubator
36:45and it's going to be
36:47amazing for him
36:48to find out
36:49that he will
36:50get to see her
36:51again
36:52Hi Justice
37:03Hi Davina
37:04Come in
37:05Thank you
37:06Thanks so much
37:06So wow
37:15Thank you for talking
37:17to me today
37:18Yeah I just wanted
37:19to catch up with you
37:20really and ask you
37:20a few questions
37:21but I guess the first
37:22one I want to ask you
37:23is
37:23what does being
37:25a dad
37:26mean to you
37:27It's beautiful
37:28being a dad
37:29It means that
37:30the children
37:31when they need me
37:32I'm there
37:33Yes
37:34And I would like
37:35to
37:37have that opportunity
37:39to say
37:40to
37:41Joanne that
37:43you know
37:43I wanted to bring you
37:44a little bit of news
37:45today
37:45Yeah
37:46Joanne
37:47has been found
37:48No
37:49You're joking
37:50Oh my god
37:52She's called Jane
37:53Oh my god
37:55Yeah
37:55Oh my god
37:57Oh my god
37:58Yeah
37:58Oh my god
38:00She's really well
38:01Oh my god
38:02Oh my god
38:03Oh my god
38:04Oh my god
38:06Does she know
38:07I've been looking for her
38:08Yes
38:09Oh god
38:10She's so happy
38:11Oh god
38:14Oh god
38:17Justice I'm going to
38:22tell you something
38:23We're going to take
38:23lots of time over this
38:25because I know
38:25every bit of information
38:26I give you is massive
38:27Yeah
38:28Yeah
38:28And we can take ages
38:30Yeah
38:30Right
38:33The most important question
38:37Does she want to see me
38:38do you think
38:39Yes
38:40Oh my god
38:42Oh my god
38:44You know
38:45Do you want me to tell you
38:57a bit more about Jane
38:58Yes please
38:59Please
39:00She had a happy childhood
39:02She knew she was adopted
39:03Right from the get go
39:04Nothing was ever
39:05kept secret from her
39:06Brilliant
39:06Brilliant
39:07She knew you tried to keep her
39:08Oh my god
39:10Yeah
39:10When she left school
39:12Yeah
39:12She thought
39:13I want to go to
39:14London
39:14Yeah
39:15And she lives
39:16Yeah
39:16Close
39:17She lives four miles away
39:18Wow
39:19Wow
39:19Oh
39:20God
39:22Oh my god
39:23Oh my god
39:24Oh my god
39:27Oh my god
39:28Look at Jane
39:29She wears glasses
39:30Oh my god
39:32Oh my god
39:34God
39:34Oh she does look like me
39:37Doesn't she
39:38Yeah
39:38Oh my god
39:40Oh my god
39:40Oh my god
39:44That's my daughter
39:46Yes
39:47Oh
39:51Jane
39:53I'm sorry
39:54I'm sorry
39:58I'm not gonna leave you
40:02I'm gonna be your shadow
40:04Oh
40:04Oh
40:06Oh
40:07Thank you
40:08Thank you
40:09Thank you
40:09Thank you
40:10So much
40:10Oh
40:11Thank you
40:12Oh
40:14We found her at last
40:17She looks like me
40:19You're gonna say no
40:19Don't cry
40:21It's all right
40:22It's all right
40:24I'm sick
40:26Like her
40:27Yes
40:28But at the same time
40:29I'm a little sad
40:30I messed up so much
40:31Like
40:31Yeah
40:32Yes
40:33But honey
40:35We got the rest
40:36We got our future
40:37To look forward to now
40:38Yeah
40:38So we can make up
40:40But I'm happy
40:41Like very very
40:42Yes
40:43Yes
40:44I didn't catch my sleep at all
40:56Thinking of me
40:57And my daughter
40:58I'm feeling nervous
41:00A little bit apprehensive
41:02I don't know what to expect
41:05I am feeling excited
41:14Nervous
41:17Very emotional
41:19Even though we are blood related
41:22We are strangers
41:23So it's surreal
41:25It's unbelievable
41:26That this moment
41:26Is happening
41:28I just want to hold her and tell her
41:41How I felt
41:42When I had to let her go
41:44It's a massive important day for me
41:49I think people struggle
41:51When you're adopted
41:52Because you sometimes feel
41:54Disconnected
41:56And so it gives me
41:59A new sense of identity
42:01This is a miracle
42:06That just happened
42:07It's just a miracle
42:08Thanks, my man
42:19Thanks, my man
42:19Yeah, let's go
42:22I'm okay
42:35I'm okay
42:39I know, right?
42:41I know, right?
42:41I'm okay
42:44I'm okay
42:48I know, right?
42:51Shall we have a seat?
42:53Yeah, please
42:55Yeah, please
42:55Take a seat
42:56Come on
42:59You're my daughter
43:00Yes, I am
43:02Oh, God
43:03It's incredible, Justice
43:06What you went through
43:07Oh, the whole world was against me
43:10And I
43:10Oh, God
43:12Yeah
43:12For me, it's amazing
43:15Because you were 18
43:17Yes, yes
43:18And, like, you're trying to keep me
43:20I'm trying to have you
43:22I'm here now
43:24Your search is over
43:26Yes
43:27So you're making a fool of myself
43:30No, no, you're not making a fool of yourself
43:33Ever
43:33Oh
43:33You're my dad
43:36So, yeah, you're not making a fool
43:38Oh, God
43:38You're my world, baby
43:40Oh
43:41She's so much like me
43:43She's everything
43:45She's got a lift like a dad
43:47She looks like a dad
43:49We're connected
43:50I know who I look like now
43:52Yes
43:53Yeah
43:55I'm sorry about the beard
43:57I think, yeah
43:57Don't worry
43:58I shaved mine off the other day
44:00I like that
44:03You look fine
44:05You look fine
44:06Wow
44:07This is my dad
44:09And to see how similar we look
44:12Is uncanny
44:15I love cooking
44:16Okay
44:17I love, love cooking
44:20Me too
44:20So we hope we can deal with it
44:21Oh, my God
44:22We have so much in court
44:23So much in court
44:25We're too busy in the pod, I think
44:27Definitely
44:28I'm visualizing the future
44:32With me and her
44:33And her siblings
44:35Having fun
44:36And I'm going to try my best
44:39In my life now
44:40To make it happy
44:42All the time
44:43I won't let you go this time
44:44I don't want to impose
44:46But I want you to know
44:48That forever
44:49Come with me
44:51I'll be there
44:51Wow
44:53I love you so much, baby
44:54Oh, justice
44:55Oh, honey
44:59Hey
45:02Hello
45:05Oh, you're so lovely
45:06Oh
45:08So sweet you all
45:11Yeah, yeah
45:12Get to know each other
45:13He's so excited
45:14This is our dad
45:16I know, right?
45:18This is your daughter
45:18Yeah, yeah
45:19And you're my sister
45:20Yeah
45:21Yeah, my life is never going to be the same
45:23Again from today
45:24It's never going to be
45:26Be quiet from today
45:29So, yeah
45:29It's great
45:30This is my friend
45:34This is justice
45:36Oh, man
45:38Oh, my God
45:40How are you?
45:40Oh, good to meet you
45:43I'm on cloud
45:45I'm floating again
45:46I'm floating again
45:47I got my daughter
45:48I'm floating
45:49So, yes
45:50I'm a happy man
45:52Very happy
45:53And long will it continue
45:56Cheers
46:15Lovely stuff
46:21And if you've been affected
46:22By the issues raised
46:23In tonight's programme
46:24You can find details
46:25Of organisations
46:26Offering support
46:27On our website
46:28stv.tv
46:30Slash advice
46:31Thanks for listening
46:32Thanks for listening
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