A TAUNTON man returns home today (Thursday) after an emotion-charged trip to Australia where he met his sister for the first time in more than a quarter of a century – thanks to TV show Surprise Surprise.

Mick Lever was reunited with his sister, Pam Lucas, who he had not seen for 26 years, after appearing on the popular ITV show.

He and his wife Carol flew out to Australia earlier this month and Pam was there to greet them.

Mick’s daughter, Michelle Farmer, told the County Gazette: “My mum and dad have told me that the reunion at the airport was so emotional – just as you would imagine. They said it was totally amazing to see each other again.”

Although Mick had kept in touch with his sister through phone calls and letters – they had not been able to visit each other for nearly three decades.

But that was until Michelle and her brother, Martyn Lever, wrote to the Surprise Surprise show which is hosted by Holly Willoughby.

“We wrote to Surprise Surprise because we wanted to say a huge thank you to mum and dad for everything they had done for us and our families,” said Michelle. “This was the only way we could think was a big enough thank you – although it was really difficult to keep it all quiet from dad for several months.

“I’ve spoken to my parents a couple of times since they’ve been in Australia and the photo of my dad and Aunty Pam after they first met shows just how ecstatic they were. But I’m really looking forward to seeing them when they get home.”

Mick and Carol were at Queensland’s Gold Coast alongside Pam and George on Australia Day, which was featured on ITV’s Good Morning Britain breakfast show.