My Mother's Heartbreak

Pop legend Lulu on finally finding out why her mum was given away as a baby

- Caren Clark

With her impressive career, taking in everything from the Eurovision Song Contest and singing a Bond theme to starring in hit movies and Strictly Come Dancing, we’re delighted to reveal that, after more than 50 years in the limelight, pop legend Lulu still feels the same heady enthusiasm for showbusiness.

‘When I go on stage, I just love it,’ enthuses Lulu, 68. ‘I’m blessed to be able to do it and to still enjoy it. It’s unbelievable.’

However, despite her joy about her professional success, a family mystery has gnawed away at her since childhood and, in this week’s Who Do You Think You Are?, she finally gets the chance to solve it.

Lulu, who was born as Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie in Glasgow in 1948, wanted to discover more about how her mother, Elizabeth, was raised by the loving McDonald clan after her birth family, the Kennedy-Cairns, gave her away as a baby.

‘My mother’s story is a big secret,’ says Lulu. ‘Although it wasn’t talked about, we knew not to ask too many questions or to push it. I wanted to find out why she was given away. There was a lot to be answered. I didn’t know what I was going find, but I had no highfalutin ideas. I wasn’t waiting to find out I was a princess!’