Original version

BBC World Service East Asia

Migrated podcast image for: Outlook

Outlook

Factual: Life Stories

True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives.

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

Outlook: Secrets and Lies: What my parent hid from me

Magazines & Reviews

Secrets and Lies from Outlook

30/03/2021 GMT

Secrets and Lies: What my parent hid from me

BBC World Service - Outlook, Secrets and Lies: What my parent hid from me

Two stories involving parents who concealed life-changing secrets from their children

In 1997 a baby is stolen from a Cape Town hospital, 17 years later the truth is revealed by chance. And the gay teen who discovers a startling secret about his homophobic stepdad.

We're delving into the Outlook archive to bring you stories about parents who kept shocking secrets from their children. 

In April 1997 a woman dressed as a nurse walked into a Cape Town hospital and left with a new born baby. The baby's name was Zephany Nurse - that child would not discover her true identity for another 17 years. This story was presented by Mpho Lakaje. Miche Zephany's book about her experience is called Zephany, Two Mothers One Daughter.

As a film-obsessed gay teenager, Wes Hurley was thrilled to move to the US from Russia. But his mother’s new husband was moody and homophobic. He told Outlook's Saskia Edwards how they ended up bonding, after a surprise revelation. Wes made a film about his life, co-directed by Nathan Miller, called Little Potato. 

And if all this sharing of secrets has got you thinking about a story in your own life, we'd love to hear it.  Write to us, or send a short voice memo to outlook@bbc.com. The secret could be about you or someone you know, or it could just be a fantastic tale you heard. If your story is about someone you know, just make sure they're ok with you telling us about it.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Outlook

Secrets and Lies: What my parent hid from me

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service East Asia

About BBC World Service