Norwich: Mother and son reunited in Long Lost Families

Diane Kerridge, 74, from Dorset, grew up in Norwich and met her boyfriend at a youth club when they were 14. She discovered she was pregnant two years later and was told by her mother to put the baby up for adoption. 

She spent several days in hospital with Paul before he was taken away, despite her desire to keep him.

Diane Kerridge reunited with her long-lost son Paul (Image: ITV)

Ms Kerridge "never forgot him", and 58 years later, has been reunited with Paul who has been living in LA.

The loving mother, who later married and had two more children, said: "There was a stigma attached to being an unmarried mother at that time. It wasn't my choice that he was adopted. I wanted to keep my baby.

"I spoke to my parents, and my mother was very angry. [My boyfriend's] parents were very supportive. 

From left, searcher Diane Kerridge, Davina McCall and Tanya Babel (Diane’s daughter who grew up with her) (Image: ITV)

"My father was but my mother made all the decisions and decided I would have the baby adopted when it was born, and there was no question about that.

"I couldn't stop looking at him. He was such a beautiful baby.

"On the last day, a social worker came, I knew she was coming to take him, and I asked her, "Please don't take him", but she did. 

Diane Kerridge (Image: ITV)

"I was just so traumatised at losing him. My feelings are just the same as the day when I gave birth to him, and I would like him to know that." 

Paul said: "I definitely felt a connection. It's an amazing feeling of all this time not knowing something and then it's sitting right in front of you.

"I feel now that I have a family, it's something that was missing."