Holly Willoughby fought back the tears as she spoke to brave student who flew to Ukraine from the UK to “stand with her people”.
The 41-year-old recently chatted with four inspirational women to reflect what has been happening in the Eastern European country.
During the seventh episode of her By The Light of the Moon podcast, one story in particular, told by Ukrainian politics student Valentina Butenko, pulled at her heartstrings.
The 19-year-old decided to leave her mum in the UK and fly back to Kyiv after the war broke out in a bid to help her country.
Valentina told Holly: “The moment this war started, I think my future became very simple for me.
“My future is about defending my country and rebuilding my country.
More on Holly Willougby
“My identity and what is valuable to me is tied in with these people and this land, and everything I do going forward, it has to be about rebuilding and re-growing Ukraine – because this is where my identity is.
“I don’t see any other path, or I don’t want to see any other path.”
Holly, who is mum to Belle, Chester and Harry, couldn’t help but put herself in Valentina’s mum’s shoes.
The presenter was overcome with emotion as she said: “I can’t stop thinking about your poor mum. Firstly, she must be so proud of you – what an incredible woman you are.
“But she must just want you to come back to London where you’re safe. Does your mum not want you back and safe?”
Valentina replied: “You know, there always comes this conflict in these times of crisis between what you personally crave and what you want for the ones you love.
“Of course I miss my mum, of course she wants me to be safe.
Read More on The Celeb Report
“I really deeply miss my mum, but she is also a person who taught me strength and bravery.”
Holly also spoke to an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist called Larisa Corda, an ITV producer called Chelsey Lloyd and MP Kira Rudik.
