'Long Lost Family' presenter Nicky Campbell's mother has died.
Nicky Campbell
The 58-year-old television presenter took to Twitter to tell his fans that his beloved mum Sheila had died on Wednesday (11.12.19) at the age of 96.
He praised his late mother for her work as a World War II hero as he recalled the episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are?' where they explored her past.
Taking to Twitter on Thursday (12.12.19), Nicky wrote: "My mum Sheila died yesterday at 96. We made a BBC programme together about her service as a radar operator and she was immensely proud of her role on D Day. Her life's work was as a social worker helping others."
Nicky was born to an Irish woman who travelled to the UK to live but was unable to care for the young boy.
He was adopted by Sheila and her husband Frank Campbell - who died in 1996 - when he was just four days old.
Nicky explored his biological roots in 2002 but always considered Sheila to be his true mum.
He continued: "The day she and Dad adopted me was the day I won the lottery. She doted on her grandchildren, and my girls completely adored her. Everybody did. I am so lucky and proud to have had her as my mum and we will miss her more than we can ever express. She was my adoptive mum. She was my real mum."
Despite his happy childhood with the Scottish couple, Nicky always lived with the feeling of being rejected, something which is common among children that have been adopted.
He shared: "I understand, no matter how happy your adoption is, that nagging sense of rejection that many adopted people get.
"It's important to bring those feelings to it and it's not a conscious decision to bring them or not, I think it just happens."
He also admitted his adoption left him with lingering doubts and questions about himself.
He explained: "Mum and Dad had told me I was adopted from as far back as I can remember, so there was no awful discovery lurking in adolescence or early adulthood, as all too often happens.
"But even though I knew all along, in the back of my mind there were always questions. I had a lingering feeling of incompleteness and an aching need for answers."
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