ITV Long Lost Family viewers call emotional show 'one of the most valuable programmes'

ITV's Long Lost Family has made a triumphant return, touching viewers who have called it "one of the most valuable programmes ever" for its role in reuniting separated families.

The series, presented by Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell, kicked off its new seven-part journey with an incredibly moving story when mother, after more than 60 years, tried to trace the daughter she had not seen since birth. The emotional rollercoaster had audiences "in tears" as Roslyn Webb, pressured into giving up her child at just 16, finally met her daughter.

Ros, now 76 and living in Cornwall with her husband Tony, had no other children and turned to ITV's Long Lost Family with hopes of finding Christine, now called Lynsey. The dedicated team succeeded in locating her daughter who was raised by a vicar and his wife in Kent, where she experienced a loving upbringing.

The reunion was nothing short of tear-jerking, with Ros expressing her disbelief and joy to Lynsey, now 59: "You are absolutely beautiful. I can't believe this is happening. I just want to look at you," reports the Mirror.

Lynsey, equally moved, responded: "I never thought this would happen. What you did was incredibly brave. And I've always thought that, but it wasn't until I had my first child. I couldn't imagine giving him up. It must have been so painful."

To which Ros confessed: "It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do."

Viewers took to X with their reactions with one viewer saying: "Long Lost Family has to be one of the most valuable programmes ever: its impact on families is enormous."

Another shared: "What an incredible #longlostfamily tonight. It is heartbreaking that so many young mums were forced to give their babies up for adoption. Ros's reaction to seeing a photo of her daughter almost 60 years after she last saw her was so very very emotional, what a lovely lady."

A third said: "Such an emotional first episode. I'm not crying, honestly." While another added: "Watching #longlostfamily in tears. But also angry that unmarried mothers were treated so badly." And a fifth posted: "Well this a tear jerker tonight #longlostfamily."

The current series is set to feature a 'special episode' exploring the chilling stolen babies scandal in Spain, which came to light in the 2000s. Under General Francisco Franco's rule from 1939 to 1975, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of babies were snatched from their parents, who were then told their children had died, and the infants were given to other families with doctored paperwork.

"The birth mothers have terrible stories," Davina McCall commented, deeply moved by the accounts. She remains hopeful for family reunions but is acutely aware of the potential distress for those learning about their adoptions and the profound effects such discoveries could have.

"It's complicated, but also an amazing story," Davina reflected.