Man fights back tears ahead of emotional reunion with mum who gave him up 45 years ago

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A mother who gave up her son 45 years ago enjoyed an emotional reunion on ITV’s show Long Lost Family.

Paula Cottrell, a 64-year-old teaching assistant placed her son, Lee, into care two days after giving birth to him in 1980.

The mum grew up in up in Liverpool and had a difficult childhood, with her parents being heavy drinkers.

‘In every single way, we were neglected,’ she said. ‘Rats in the kitchen, dirty dishes and clothes everywhere. There was verbal abuse, physical abuse. You’re supposed to be safe at home. And unfortunately, it was a place where we were frightened.’

After becoming pregnant at the age of 19 after meeting a boy at a local, the father disappeared, leaving Paula frightened of raising a child on her own in her chaotic and volatile family.

She decided early on that she would place her child up for adoption, but now she has finally reunited with him on the ITV show, which is hosted by Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell.

Paula Cottrell and Paul Clarke finally reunited after 45 years (Picture: ITV) Paul, pictured with Nicky Campbell, was found by the ITV Long Lost Family team (Picture: ITV)

Describing her baby after he was born, she said: ‘He was tiny and his hair was silver-blonde and he stayed with me for two days.

‘He was wrapped up at the side of my bed. I was just looking at him thinking ‘I’m so sorry. But, you can’t stay with me.’

Lee was placed into care after just two days leaving Paula heartbroken.

A few weeks later, her social worker unexpectedly called and revealed that a couple were very keen to adopt Lee.

After seeing how nice the couple were, who said they would name the baby Paul, in honour of his birth mother, Paula agreed.

A whopping 45 years later, Long Lost Family’s team found Paula’s son still living in Liverpool, and true to their word, the couple who adopted him called him Paul.

When presenter Nicky met Paul, who is a university lecturer who has been married to Owen for over twenty years, the son agreed that his mother made the right choice as he enjoyed a ‘wonderful’ childhood and was very close to his family.

He shared that he has always wondered what his birth mother looked like and if she would ever come looking.

Paul was put up for adoption just two days after he was born (Picture: ITV) Davina McCall, pictured on another episode, hosts the show with Nicky (Picture: ITV)

He confided in Nicky: ‘If I only get to say “thank you for everything that you’ve given me,” that will make me happy and content.’

After Davina tells Paula that her son has been found, Paula can be seen getting extremely emotional, saying: ‘I never ever thought that this would happen.’

As the pair meet in the centre of Liverpool, Paul could immedfiately see their physical similarities, saying: ‘I’m definitely yours.’

Paula then can be seen explaining why she placed up for adoption, with Paul being very sympatheitc.

She told him: ‘My hope is for him continue with his life and for me to be a little part of that. That’s enough for me.’

Long Lost Family will continue on Thursday 25th September, at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

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