Emotional Moment on The One Show as Floella Benjamin Shares Childhood Memories
Viewers of The One Show were moved to tears as actress, author, and politician Lady Floella Benjamin shared poignant memories from her childhood during an emotional interview. The celebrated figure discussed her latest play, Coming To England, and her bestselling book, What Are You Doing Here? revealing the deep personal history that has shaped her work.
During her conversation with hosts Alex Scott and Roman Kemp, Baroness Benjamin opened up about the difficult experiences of her early life, which were far from joyful. She recounted how, as a child, she was left behind in the Caribbean when her parents emigrated to Britain after World War II to help rebuild the country. This fate, shared by many children, often led to abandonment in children’s homes or with foster parents, told the Mirror.
Reflecting on her life’s extraordinary journey, Baroness Benjamin said, “I’m truly honored to have all of these actors play characters in my family, bringing the story to life. Bringing it on stage so that the people watching can actually feel the emotion and feel what it’s like to be a child, not quite sure what’s going to happen next.”
She also spoke about the trauma that many “left-behind” children, known as Windrush children, experienced when separated from their families between 1948 and 1971. “You hear people arguing when you are left, and many children who are grown up now can remember when they were left behind and put into a children’s home or with foster parents,” she recounted. “I was left behind, I am one of the left-behind children.”
To honor those who made such sacrifices, Baroness Benjamin created a monument at Waterloo station, dedicated to the Windrush children. “When people saw that monument, they wept because they remembered the trauma that they had to go through being left behind,” she explained.
Viewers on social media, particularly on X (formerly known as Twitter), expressed their emotional reactions to her story. One viewer wrote, “Floella for WORLD QUEEN. Love her so much I’m tearing up a bit. #TheOneShow.” Another added, “She’s a beautiful force of nature,” while a third remarked, “I think Floella Benjamin is a living, breathing Angel. Thanks for everything you do xx #TheOneShow #FloellaBenjamin.”
Baroness Benjamin’s heartfelt reflections not only highlighted her personal resilience but also resonated deeply with many who have faced similar struggles, offering a powerful reminder of the impact of her work.