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Secret Sister Found After Decades
29 Jan
Summary
- Mandy learned of her secret sister after her mother's death in 2018.
- The sister, named Sandra and later Jenny, lived less than 10 miles away.
- Mandy was overjoyed, noting her sister's striking resemblance to their mother.
Teaching assistant Mandy Irvin, 56, from West Sussex, experienced a profoundly emotional moment upon discovering a photograph of her secret sister. This sister, unknown to Mandy until 2018, was revealed by her father following her mother's death.
Mandy's father disclosed that her mother had become pregnant as a teenager, leading to their first child, Sandra, being given up for adoption. The couple married later but kept this first child a secret.
Determined to find Sandra, Mandy sought help from ITV's Long Lost Family. The show's team discovered that Sandra, renamed Jenny, was raised by a family located less than 10 miles from Mandy's childhood home.
In an emotional reveal, co-host Davina McCall presented Mandy with a photo of Jenny. Mandy expressed deep emotion, remarking on Jenny's strong resemblance to their mother. Jenny was also contacted and expressed excitement about connecting.
The sisters eventually met for the first time in Hertfordshire, experiencing an immediate connection. Mandy described the experience as incredible. The episode also highlighted the story of Katherine Fletcher, who reconnected with half-siblings in Canada.
