Viewers tuning into last night's episode of ITV's Long Lost Family were left in tears as a guest broke down crying after seeing his father's grave for the very first time. James Ford, who was born and grew up in West Yorkshire, shared an emotional moment on the show as he put down flowers on his dad's place of rest.
"There you go, Dad," the 73-year-old said as he placed the bouquet down, before reading out the words on the gravestone: "Died aged 42, wow. 'In loving memory of a dear husband and Dad'." He then added: "If he was a Dad then there was an offspring somewhere. I wonder if that is a boy or a girl. My goodness gracious, a half brother or sister. Mind-blowing."
During the episode, James, who lives in Carcassonne, France, with his wife, said he would always ask about his biological father while growing up but was never told anything about him. He even tried to track him down via DNA websites, but to no avail.
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However, after asking for help from the Long Lost Family team, James was able to find his Dad and his sister on his mother's side, Joselyn Taylor, 68 - who he met earlier in the episode. Unfortunately, the ITV team had to break the sad news that James' father had died at the age of 42 in 1969.
Following the heart-wrenching news, James decided to pay his father's grave a visit, where he struggled to hold back tears at the sight of his headstone. Social media was awash with comments from viewers watching the moment from home, with many admitting to becoming teary-eyed at the emotional scene.
@McCormicksGogg1 tweeted: "Long lost family making me bawl as usual," while @yelyahgina posted: "If you want a good cry, watch Long Lost Family- gets me every time!"
@DjLeeButler commented: "Long lost family absolutely finished me off again! Every single time", as @Miss_Carmx asked: "Why did I start watching this #LongLostFamily," with a sad emoji face. @NathanielJHall put: "Just off to wash the pots in my own tears in the ad break of #longlostfamily brb."
@Natasha19317558 wrote: "These adopted children are brave and often forgiving, a reminder of how humans have intrinsic need to know where we come from." @Suzy_H14 added: "The team who do all the hard work to find loved ones and reunite them are amazing #longlostfamily."
@DeniseCop1 admitted: "Love watching #LongLostFamily but Oh My Goodness I've turned into such a sap! Sitting here in tears at it.... again." @Kerrygold21 said: "Long lost family tissues are out!"
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