This is the heartwarming moment an estranged couple who were married for 33-years came face-to-face for the first time in years in an attempt to rebuild their relationship.
Queensland woman Sue walked out on her husband Gary in 2014 after their marriage disintegrated.
Three years later, the estranged couple reunited on SBS show Look Me In The Eye, which aired for the first time on Wednesday night.
The show features two estranged people sitting in silence for five minutes while looking each other in the eye, after which they are given the choice to talk to each other or get up and leave.
After three years of bitter silence, Sue unravelled when she looked into the eyes of her former husband, whom she shares three adult daughters with – Lauren, Chloe and Stephanie.
‘I looked up and saw Gary and burst into tears,’ she told News.com.au.
The Queensland mother said she didn’t know what to expect.
‘I didn’t even think Gary would turn up and when I heard those footsteps I thought it was Ray Martin coming to tell me he hadn’t come,’ she said.
After three years of bitter silence, Sue (pictured) unravelled when she looked into the eyes of her former husband, whom she shares three adult daughters with – Lauren, Chloe and Stephanie
‘All the events of the past 33 years came flooding back and a series of events went through my mind from the children, to camping holidays to so many different memories.’
Sue said the pair’s connection was unexpected because they were not on speaking terms for years.
Sue and Gary were just one of a group of estranged couples to appear on the show, including a son who cut off contact with his mother, a father who abandoned his daughter and a former child soldier and his militia torturer.
The show, hosted by Ray Martin, garnered a massive outpouring of support, with viewers praising the concept.
‘Wow. Look Me In The Eye on SBS is outstanding. Powerful and emotional. Brilliant. Well done Ray Martin. Perfect host,’ one woman said.
‘I didn’t even think Gary (pictured) would turn up and when I heard those footsteps I thought it was Ray Martin coming to tell me he hadn’t come,’ Sue said
‘My heart hurts watching Look Me In The Eye – people and our relationships can be so very complicated but life is short. Choose love,’ another said.
Another awestruck viewer took to Twitter to say: ‘Holy moley, Look Me In The Eye is a big whack in the feels for a Wednesday night’.
The social experiment will give 17 pairs of people the chance to reconnect after a period of estrangement.
Wednesday night’s episode was the first of six set to air on SBS.