This Morning viewers were left in tears as they watched the emotional moment two soldiers were reunited with their children for Christmas.
Captain David Rawdon and Sergeant Major John Rawdon from the 2nd Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment appeared on the ITV show to surprise their kids after nine months away.
Their youngsters thought they were on a trip to see Santa at Lapland UK in Ascot – unaware their dads were waiting outside.
And fans were left sobbing in front of their TV screens as 10-year-old Evelyn jumped into dad David’s arms as he entered the grotto.
One viewer wrote: “It’s an emotional rollercoaster #ThisMorning I couldn’t stop laughing at chimney bloke now I’m crying at kids reuniting with their dads!”
“Omg, these kids seeing their dads for the first time since May. Crying my eyes out #ThisMorning,” a second said.
While a third commented: “Can’t see the ironing board because I’m crying so much!”
Moments before the big reveal, This Morning presenter Josie Gibson asked David: “I’m whispering because the children are inside. You’re about to see your family for the first time in nine months – how do you feel?”
David replied: “I’m very excited and a bit nervous.”
The camera then cut to his little ones, Evelyn and Sebastian, who were sitting in Santa’s grotto getting presents.
“We need a bigger surprise for you – and this is the biggest one of all”, Santa told the children as he pointed to the door.
As soon as her dad entered the room, Evelyn jumped up to hug him yelling ‘daddy!’ as little brother Sebastian followed.
Speaking afterwards, David said: “Evelyn had her 10th birthday while I was away and she’s turned into a little lady. She nearly knocked me off my feet!”
He added: “It’s wonderful. All the nerves and emotions went when I walked through the door and it was just like I’d never actually been away. It was perfect.”
The same thing happened when John walked into the room and his eldest boy ran into his arms.
Speaking to host Josie, his partner said Christmas without John there was tough on the kids – but that won’t be the case this year as she had him home.
“You try and make it as magical as possible, but when their daddy’s not there on Christmas morning, it’s very sad for them,” she said.
The emotional reunions were made possible by charity Little Troopers, which supports children who have parents serving in the British Armed Forces.
Little Troopers founder Louise Fetigan said: “We are always honoured to be part of that special moment where military families are reunited after a long period of time and it was wonderful to see the pure joy on the children’s faces when their Dads walked in the room. "
The reunions are one of many things Little Troopers is doing as part of its Christmas Smiles campaign, which aims to bring smiles to as many military children as possible during the holidays, especially families who have relatives deployed over Christmas.
The charity has also partnered with the Build-A-Bear Foundation to distribute 2,000 free teddies to military children across the UK, as well as giving away free pantomime and cinema tickets for military families.
*This Morning is on ITV weekdays from 10am
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