Nicky Campbell pays heartbreaking tribute to his D-Day hero mother who has died at 96

Broadcaster Nicky Campbell has tribute to his ‘wonderful’ D-Day hero mother who has died aged 96, and said: ‘The day she adopted me was the day I won the lottery.’

The BBC Radio Five Live host penned a heartbreaking message on social media as he announced the death of Second World War radar operator Sheila.

Along with her husband, Frank Campbell, the former social worker adopted Nicky as a four-day-old baby in 1961, and was part of his 2007 episode of BBC One’s Who Do You Think You Are?

He has frequently spoken about his adoption, and has praised his parents for ‘selflessly providing a loving and stable home.’

Nicky wrote today: ‘My mum Sheila died yesterday at 96. We made a BBC programme together about her service as a radar operator and she was immensely proud of her role on D Day.

‘Her life’s work was as a social worker helping others. 

‘The day she and dad adopted me was the day I won the lottery. She doted on her grandchildren and my girls completely adored her. Everybody did.

Nicky (pictured) missed today's Five Live Breakfast

The BBC Radio Five Live host (right) penned a heartbreaking message on social media as he announced the death of Second World War radar operator Sheila (left)

Along with her husband, Frank Campbell, the former social worker (pictured with Nicky) adopted Nicky as a four-day-old baby in 1961

Along with her husband, Frank Campbell, the former social worker (pictured with Nicky) adopted Nicky as a four-day-old baby in 1961

Nicky, who missed presenting today’s edition of Five Live Breakfast, added: ‘I am so lucky and proud to have had her as my mum and we will miss her more than we can ever express.

‘She was my adoptive mum. She was my real mum.’   

Nicky’s co-host Rachel Burden, who became emotional as she read out the statement on air this morning said Nicky was expected back to work tomorrow to cover the general election because its what his mother would have wanted.

She said: ‘I knew her in the course of my friendship with Nicky developing over the years. 

‘She was an incredible woman and I feel really, really privileged to have known her.

Nicky posted the statement on social media this morning with the caption: 'My wonderful mum'

Nicky posted the statement on social media this morning with the caption: ‘My wonderful mum’

Nicky Campbell discovered his family history on the BBC's Who Do You Think You Are? Pictured left to right: Frank Campbell (Nicky Campbell's father), Sheila Campbell (Nicky's mother), Nicky Campbell and Fiona Campbell (Nicky's half sister)

Nicky Campbell discovered his family history on the BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are? Pictured left to right: Frank Campbell (Nicky Campbell’s father), Sheila Campbell (Nicky’s mother), Nicky Campbell and Fiona Campbell (Nicky’s half sister)

‘Nicky will be back at work tomorrow because, as he says, his mum would have said, ‘Of course you should be working, it’s the general election results day.’

‘So he will be here tomorrow. And we just all want to send all our thoughts on to Nicky and the girls and Tina and all his family today. You’re very, very much in our thoughts.’

Sheila spoke to Nicky about her role in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force during World War Two. She was presented with a medal of service for her work in 2017.

She was stationed at Beachy Head and helped guide plane to their targets on D-Day.

During Who Do You Think You Are? he investigated his Scottish roots. His adoptive father Frank died in 1996.

The statement posted by Nicky on Twitter today. He wrote: 'The day she and dad adopted me was the day I won the lottery'

The statement posted by Nicky on Twitter today. He wrote: ‘The day she and dad adopted me was the day I won the lottery’

Sheila (pictured) spoke to Nicky on the BBC about her role in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during World War Two. She was presented with a medal of service for her work in 2017

Sheila (pictured) spoke to Nicky on the BBC about her role in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force during World War Two. She was presented with a medal of service for her work in 2017

Nicky said at the time: ‘I’m so proud of this extraordinary family I was adopted into. 

‘All the stories I’ve heard somehow all contributed to making my dad the most wonderful dad that I could have had.

‘It couldn’t have been for me more fascinating, revealing and enlightening. 

Nicky Campbell's birth mother Stella in Dublin in 1951

Nicky Campbell’s birth mother Stella in Dublin in 1951

‘A family of which I am so proud and a dad of which I’m so proud. I just wish he were here to share it.’     

Nicky’s natural mother was an unmarried Dublin nurse who fell pregnant to an Irish Republican from Belfast.

Stella Lackey, was a Dublin Protestant and placed her son up for adoption in Edinburgh, so he would be raised by a family with similar beliefs. 

Ms Lackey sent her son Christmas cards for the first five years of his life.  

He also discovered he had a half-sister. His mother had been pregnant to two Catholics within an 18-month period. His half-sister had also been placed up for adoption. 

Speaking earlier this year he said: ‘It was a surreal moment for me. I met my birth mother in Dublin in 1990 and, for the first time, I saw a face that looked like mine. But I felt no emotional connection with her, no spiritual connection even. 

‘There was nothing. If anything, I felt quite sorry for her. She’d had two children within 18 months, by two different men; she led a complicated, rather tragic life. 

‘But I’m so thankful to have met her and felt honoured to help carry her coffin when she died in 2008.’ 

Campbell, pictured here as a child, praised his adoptive parents for proving him with a loving and stable home

Campbell, pictured here as a child, praised his adoptive parents for proving him with a loving and stable home

He also managed to track down his biological father Joseph. 

Campbell spent more time looking into his history for a new show, Long Lost Family on ITV. 

The new research found that his paternal grandfather was a member of the IRA and may have fought alongside Michael Collins during the Irish War of Independence. 

The broadcaster told The Mirror: ‘I understand, no matter how happy your adoption is, that nagging sense of rejection that many adopted people get. 

‘It’s important to bring those feelings to it and it’s not a conscious decision to bring them or not, I think it just happens. 

‘It’s really difficult because we get wrapped up in the emotions; you get to know somebody and you kind of go with them on it. I’ve had my moments.’

Campbell said he was incredibly grateful to his adoptive parents who ‘selflessly providing a loving and stable family home’. 

After finding about his Irish natural parents, Campbell insists he is still a ‘proud Scot’. 

He added: ‘With my adoption, I had some scant details and my parents were very forthcoming and said, if I ever wanted to know more, they’d tell me as much as they could and would help me in any tracing process.’  

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