TV

This Time Next Year guests fail to return to the studio to update Davina

But it was for a very good reason

By Robert Leigh

This Time Next Year viewers were left sobbing last night after a couple having difficulties becoming parents failed to reappear on the show.

But any tears shed were done so in joy – as would-be mum and dad Sarah-Lee and David missed out on returning to the ITV reality series where participants reveal how their lives have changed for the better one year on for the best possible reasons.

The Peterborough couple had already opened up about their devastating run of failed IVF treatments before running out of cash to pay for further attempts in their first appearance on the show.

Sarah-Lee and David told Davina they hoped to have a baby in the upcoming 12 months (Credit: ITV)

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However, further funding had become available due to David’s military career and they hoped two final tries at conceiving with the expensive procedure might make their family dream come true.

Following the familiar format of the show, the couple were seen leaving the studio after detailing how they hoped to transform their lives in 12 months – but were nowhere to be seen at the later point when host Davina McCall usually provides an update on participants’ stories.

David and Sarah-Lee did pop up on-screen though, chatting with Davina via a video wall rather than in the studio.

But why didn’t they return to the studio one year on? (Credit: ITV)

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And the reason they were unable to make it into the studio became clear very quickly: David and Sarah-Lee were at home looking after TWO new week-old babies!

Incredibly, just eight days before filming, Sarah-Lee gave birth to twins – a boy, Ethan, and a girl, Kiara – after the first IVF treatment proved a success.

“We are sorry we couldn’t be there. We would’ve loved to have been there. But we have a very good reason why,” said Sarah-Lee, holding up her newborn son for everyone to see as Davina gasped.

To squeals from the audience, David then lifted his daughter into shot.

“Actually, we have another reason why, too,” he beamed.

Hello Kiara and Ethan! (Credit: ITV)

“That is absolutely unbelievable,” said a thrilled Davina.

However, the birth did not go entirely to plan. Sarah-Lee went into labour after the twins – scheduled to be delivered by caesarean section – decided to arrive early while David was away on duty.

“We spent five days in ICU with the babies because they lost quite a lot of weight being premature,” she explained.

“They had their own plan!”

Viewers were overjoyed with the uplifting twist to the couple’s moving story, declaring the happy outcome as the ‘best ending ever’.

And many admitted to being overwhelmed by the “amazing” turn of events.

This Time Next Year is on ITV, Tuesdays from 8pm.

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Robert Leigh
Freelance writer

Related Topics

Davina McCall ITV