7 Up's Symon Basterfield shares his one big regret in life as he returns for the emotional 70 Up finale
Symon grew up in a children's home7 Up original Symon Basterfield has shared his biggest regret while filming the highly-anticipated episode, 70 Up.
Viewers will remember Symon as one of two seven-year-old boys who grew up in a children’s home.
In 1963, when 7 Up aired, Symon was described as the “illegitimate” child of a single mother.
The cameras continued to ask him about his absent father every seven years when the Up series returned to the TV.
In 14 Up, Symon told the camera: “They say, ‘Where’s your father then?’ when your mum’s out at work. And I just tell them I ain’t got one.
“I don’t think it’s had any effect on me because what you don’t have you don’t miss.”
But as the extraordinary documentary series finally draws to a close, Symon admits there is now a big question mark hanging over his life.
7 Up’s Symon reveals his big regret in 7 Up
Symon is filmed at home in the upcoming 70 Up finale. Now 70 and needing a hearing aid, he looks back on his fatherless childhood.
Symon’s mother battled with depression during her life. She died in 1990 from cancer.
He admits: “It’s still in my head now, I should have asked. First, who’s my dad? What did he do? Where did he come from?
“I can’t remember who told me he was Nigerian, it might have been my mum. But I don’t know that he’s Nigerian. So I know nothing about the man, I never saw him.”
Symon continues: “And that’s a lot of big noughts. I shouldn’t have worried about upsetting people. I should have just asked the question.
“But I didn’t know who to ask, so I didn’t. But now I wish to hell I had.”
Symon’s life as a foster father
Viewers may remember that Symon married his first wife, Yvonne, in his early 20s. They had five children together.
In 28 Up, Symon reflected: “They’ve got everything. They’ve got what I never had – a father.”
Unfortunately, Symon and Yvonne had divorced by the time 35 Up aired. By 42 Up, he had married his second wife, Vienetta. He became a stepdad to her daughter and they had a son called Daniel together.
The couple later trained to become foster parents. Symon – who lived as a boy in the children’s home with 7 Up’s Paul – will also share the record number of children he fostered with Vienetta in 70 Up.
And it’s seriously impressive!
When does 70 Up start?
Fans don’t have long to wait, as 70 Up starts next week. Episode 1 of the series finale starts at 9pm on Tuesday September 15, 2026. It will air on ITV1 and ITVX.
It’s been a long seven-year wait for this!
Read more: 7 Up star Sue reveals she’s finally got married as show returns for big 70 Up finale
