Long Lost Family: Woman, 77, reveals moment her mother revealed she was a ‘cuckoo in the nest’

A woman who was switched with another baby in a World War Two bomb shelter has revealed the moment her mother first suggested she belonged with another family on Long Lost Family Special: Switched At Birth.

Rosemary Rawlins, 77, who was born in Weymouth, appears on the ITV programme tonight as she searches for her biological relatives – having always suspected she wasn’t raised in her genetic family.

During the episode, she recalls the ‘peculiar’ moment her mother first hinted that Rosemary wasn’t biologically her daughter when at a theatre together.

‘I just remember Mum saying, “oh that family down there, that could be your family”. I sort of looked and thought “Yes, there’s a girl there with a mum and dad”, and that was it. 

‘I didn’t think about it anymore, the show began, and it never worried me. I just thought of it as a fantasy story.’

After contacting the ITV show, researchers are able to unveil the shocking truth, that after being evacuated from a maternity hospital during a raid in 1944, she had been switched with another baby, who had been born three days earlier. 

Rosemary Rawlins, 77, who was born in Weymouth, appears on the ITV programme tonight as she searches for her biological relatives – having always suspected she wasn’t raised in her genetic family

After contacting the ITV show, researchers are able to unveil the shocking truth, that after being evacuated from a maternity hospital during a raid in 1944, she had been switched with another baby, who had been born three days earlier.  Rosemary is pictured as a child

Recalling the moment at the theatre, she says: ‘The first time I can remember Mum saying something, which when I look back on it was very peculiar, we were on holiday in Weymouth.

‘We were actually in the theatre and there was a lot of noise and I just remember Mum saying, “oh that family down there, that could be your family”. 

‘I sort of looked and thought “Yes, there’s a girl there with a mum and dad”, and that was it. I didn’t think about it anymore, the show began, and it never worried me. I just thought of it as a fantasy story.’

After taking a DNA test, she realised she wasn’t related to the family who raised her and she went back to the maternity hospital where she was born. 

During the episode, she recalls the ‘peculiar’ moment her mother first hinted that Rosemary wasn’t biologically her daughter when at a theatre together

Recalling the moment at the theatre (pictured), she says: ‘The first time I can remember Mum saying something, which when I look back on it was very peculiar, we were on holiday in Weymouth.’

‘We were actually in the theatre and there was a lot of noise and I just remember Mum saying, “oh that family down there, that could be your family”,’ recalled the 77-year-old (pictured)

‘I don’t know when I knew and I don’t know how I knew, but I’ve always known that I was swapped at birth,’ she explains.

‘I was tall and athletic and I tanned very easily. My family were slim and fair and my sister and brother were much brighter than me.

‘When I was young it didn’t matter to me at all. It’s much better to get on with life. Until you know that something can be done — and everything changes.’

Rosemary was brought up with three siblings but always felt like a ‘cuckoo in the nest’ as she was so different to the rest of her family.

Rosemary is pictured with her biological brother Richard after meeting on the show

After taking a DNA test, she realised she wasn’t related to the family who raised her and she went back to the maternity hospital where she was born. Pictured in the bomb shelter 

The team were able to prove the switch with a DNA test that proved Jacky wasn’t related to her younger brother Richard, however, tests proved Richard and Rosemary are full siblings

The details of the mix-up are only fully revealed to Rosemary on the show when she visits her cousin, Nicky, who explains the family knew what had happened, but just accepted it.

Nicky says: ‘Our grandmother came to visit the next day and she said, “This isn’t the same baby”.

‘The family doctor was called in and consulted and he said to them, “The logical conclusion of this is that you might have to give the baby up.” But they were not prepared to give you up.’

The Bafta-winning show is presented by Davina McCall (pictured with Rosemary) and Nicky Campbell

 Unlike Rosemary (pictured) Jacky’s family had no idea the family she’s raised in wasn’t her biological one

Researchers then track down Jacky, who was born in the same hospital as Rosemary a few days before her.

Both mothers – and newborns – had been rushed into an air raid shelter where the unfortunate mix-up happened.

Unlike Rosemary, Jacky’s family had no idea the family she’s raised in wasn’t her biological one.

The team are able to prove the switch with a DNA test that proves Jacky wasn’t related to her younger brother Richard, however, tests prove Richard and Jacky are full siblings.

Richard, who appeared on the show and met Rosemary for the first time, told Jacky it changed nothing between them. 

The team were able to prove the switch with a DNA test that proved Jacky wasn’t related to her younger brother Richard, however, tests proved Richard and Jacky are full siblings. Rosemary is pictured

‘It’s been a lot to take in. There are days when I think, “Yeah, these are my family, but are they my family?”‘ Jacky said.

‘That’s what goes through my mind when they say, “You’re our Jacky and we love you and you’ll always be our Jacky “.’

However, Rosemary was able to met her biological brother for the first time. 

‘I hope Jacky’s OK. I just assumed that because I knew, she would be just the same,’ she said.  ‘But it’s like blundering into another family saying I want to be part of it. I’m just so sorry that they didn’t know.

‘I did feel very much for Richard’s sister who is finding this a very tough time and we’ll have to be very slow and very gentle and caring.’

She added: ‘I too will never know what it’s like to be brought up by the family I should have been brought up by. It’s very difficult. So we take small steps.’

Long Lost Family Special: Switched at Birth, 9pm, Monday 6th June, ITV.