Christmas is a time for families and This Morning pulled on the nation’s heartstrings on Tuesday when they reunited servicemen with their surprised children.
The kids were visiting Santa completely unaware that their dads were hiding behind the scenes.
Alison Hammond helped three servicemen, who had spent months away from their families, to spread a bit of festive cheer at Lapland UK in Ascot with a surprise reunion.
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This Morning worked with the charity Little Troopers, who help support children whose parents are deployed away from home.
Grenadier Guard’s Daniel Parkes who has been deployed in Iraq since July got to see his daughter walk for the first time after missing her first steps while he was on duty.
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John Luckin, who had been away with the Royal Air Force, also received hugs of joy from his children in the grotto.
Meanwhile, chief petty officer Steven Trimmer’s children ran for a hug shouting ‘Daddy!’ when he showed up during their chat with Father Christmas.
After joking that he needed “to learn to be a dad again”, he confessed: “I’m so happy to be home. I feel complete.”
What a great morning at @laplanduk with @thismorning making dreams really come true reuniting these military families 🎄🎅🏻 @AlisonHammond2 pic.twitter.com/qBr7uRV8sV
— Little Troopers (@LittleTroopers_) December 18, 2018
Many viewers admitted the segment on the show had them tearing up.
One viewer shared on Twitter: “Awww how adorable is this the dads reuniting with their families.”
Awwwww how adorable is this the dads reuniting with their families 😭😭😭😭😭 #ThisMorning
— ⚓️ ASHLEY ⚓️ (@bramwell_ashley) 18 December 2018
Another wrote: “Unless your loved one has been away for months on end you’ll never understand the feelings when they return. I couldn’t do it live on the tele, I’m always a sobbing mess.”
Unless your loved one has been away for months on end you’ll never understand the feelings when they return. I couldn’t do it live on the tele, I’m always a sobbing mess. #ThisMorning
— Sara (@DoubleTreble_) 18 December 2018
A third added: “And now #thismorning have me in tears with live reunions.”
And now #thismorning have me in tears with live reunions… @thismorning
— Becci Cohen (@BecciCohen) 18 December 2018
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However, some found the segment “awkward” to watch.
One viewer tweeted: “More awkward reunions where the kids are like who the heck are you #thismorning.”
Another added: “The cringe is strong with these reunions #This Morning.”
The cringe is strong with these reunions. 😬#ThisMorning
— [ • • ] Jacquie (@JCH999) December 18, 2018
A third added: “These kids couldn’t care less about their dads coming back. They’re interrupting Father Christmas!”
These kids couldn’t care less about their dads coming back. They’re interrupting Father Christmas! #ThisMorning
— Charlotte Rogers (@charjo75) 18 December 2018
Them kids were like “that’s my surprise?…..but i wanted an xbox” 😂😂 #ThisMorning
— Tasha xx (@tashalou89) 18 December 2018
Another wrote: “Why do none of these kids look surprised over seeing their dad? Am I missing something? They are just not phased just like ahh alright dad.”
Why do none of these kids look surprised over seeing their dad? Am I missing something? They are just not phased just like ahh alright dad 😂😂 #ThisMorning
— ✨Chloe✨ (@MissChloeMarie_) 18 December 2018
No, these reunions arnt awkward at all #thismorning pic.twitter.com/t2Cg0aDPEX
— Natalie Booth 🤓 (@nat_1983) 18 December 2018
Did the reunions make you cry? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!