Long Lost Family tugs at star’s heartstrings.
It’s the series that makes the whole nation cry. Now, on the eve of Long Lost Family’s return, host Nicky Campbell has told how it hits him harder than anyone else.
But the top Scots broadcaster says the happiness that comes from being the dad of four young girls soon dries any tears away.
The fourth series of the massive Bafta-winning ITV hit which reunites long lost relatives with one another starts next month.
“You’ve got to be professional otherwise you’d be blubbing away,” Nicky, himself adopted as a baby, told The Sunday Post.
“But five or six times a series I’m seriously gone. A couple of times we’ve had to stop filming. It’s impossible not to cry sometimes.”
Twists, turns and double reunions are just a few of the things he teases for the new series.
“I tingle when I think about it. It gets right to the heart because it’s something we all understand belonging, family, love, yearning.
“I was chatting to Graham Norton after the Baftas and he said it was his favourite programme. He said what he loved was that he didn’t feel grubby watching it.
“It’s tastefully and respectfully done. I’ll never do anything like this in my career again.
“When I’m walking my dogs in the Highlands or I’m on the Tube in London, this is the one people want to talk about.”
Nicky has daughters Isla, 10, Kirsty, 12, Lilla, 14 and Breagha, 15, with wife Tina. So, what’s it like being dad to four girls challenging or enjoyable?
“Both,” he laughs. “The teenage thing is interesting, but it’s great too. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I think I’m pretty understanding with them. I have proper conversations and don’t treat them like tiny children. And it always helps the situation if you can make everyone laugh. We do plenty of that.”
Tracking down the long lost families has taken Nicky, 53, who was brought up in Edinburgh, to almost every corner of the world. It’s meant 26-hour flights to Australia and New Zealand, but it’s time the music-mad broadcaster hasn’t wasted.
He’s been penning songs for a new album with singer/songwriter Kate Robbins. The result is the 10-track We’re Just Passing Through.
“I’m immensely proud of it,” he says.
“I wrote lyrics on the plane and then emailed them to Kate. A donation from every sale is going to the British Association for Adoption and Fostering because I’m the patron.
“As so much of it was done as I travelled the world for Long Lost Family I think it fits in.”
Nicky hosts Radio 5Live’s Breakfast Show and its move to the BBC’s Salford studios has seen him add to his already extensive commuting mileage.
It means plenty of time away from his London home, but Tina gets on the train too for weekly ‘dates’.
“She comes up on a Wednesday, which is our date day. We have a nice lunch and just relax. It’s good fun and I’m back down Friday until Sunday so we probably see more of each other now than we ever did.”
He might have had his passport checked in just about every country under the sun, but it’s obvious from his warmth and affection that there’s no place like home.
Annual holidays are spent in the Highlands, with happy memories flooding back of child-hood encounters with nettles and midge bites.
“I’ve never seen anywhere more beautiful than the Western Isles,” he reflects.
“I love it in all weathers. It’s a remarkable place and when I go there I feel like I’m going home.”
He has the same feelings about Edinburgh, where his mum still lives. He’ll get more of a chance to visit when he’s in Scotland next month for his daily breakfast show as part of the BBC’s Commonwealth Games coverage.
It seems a mum’s pride nor indeed their uncanny ability to embarrass ever fades.
“She’s got every single episode of Wheel of Fortune on video cassette and doesn’t even have a player,” he sighs.
“They’re filling up the house a little bit too much. She taped them and won’t get rid of them. I’d like to take them out and burn them!”
Long Lost Family is on ITV in mid-July. We’re Just Passing Through is released on July 7. robbinscampbell.com.
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