‘Icy Baby’ who was left on coldest night in 1987 becomes emotional as he hears about his late father

A man who was left as a newborn in a London phone box on the coldest night of the year was left close to tears on last night’s Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace after being told his late father would’ve ‘seen him as a gift’ if he had known about his son.

Matt Butt, 35, of Clapton, was abandoned in 1987 in a cardboard box and a knitted jacket which had a note pinned to it that read: ‘I was born on January 6th. Please look after me.’

He became one of the most famous foundling cases and was known as the ‘Ice Baby’ after being left on the coldest night of the year by his mother, who was later found by researchers but refused to have any contact with Matt at that point.

By placing his DNA on an online database that traces birth relatives, the ITV programme’s search team found Matt’s late birth father. Sadly, he passed away in 2013, having never known about his only child.

However, a lifelong friend of Matt’s birth father sent a letter to the foundling, explaining that had he known about his son, the musician would’ve ‘stood before him with open arms and seen him as a gift’.

A man who was left as a newborn in a London phone box on the coldest night of the year was left close to tears on last night’s Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace (pictured) after being told his late father would’ve ‘seen him as a gift’ if he had known about his son

Matt Butt (pictured as a baby), 35, of Clapton, was abandoned in 1987 in a cardboard box and a knitted jacket which had a note pinned to it that read: 'I was born on January 6th. Please look after me.'

Matt Butt, pictured

Matt Butt (pictured right, and left, as a baby), 35, of Clapton, was abandoned in 1987 in a cardboard box and a knitted jacket which had a note pinned to it that read: ‘I was born on January 6th. Please look after me.’

He became one of the most famous foundling cases and was known as the 'Ice Baby' after being left on the coldest night of the year in a phone box (pictured) by his mother, who was later found by researchers but refused to have any contact with Matt at that point

He became one of the most famous foundling cases and was known as the ‘Ice Baby’ after being left on the coldest night of the year in a phone box (pictured) by his mother, who was later found by researchers but refused to have any contact with Matt at that point

It is believed that Matt’s mother and father were in a casual relationship at the time of his birth, and that’s why his dad never knew about him.

Co-presenter Davina McCall told Matt how his father was just 24 when his only child was born.

Matt’s birth father was from the Midlands, but moved to London aged 17 to make a name for himself as a musician. The unmarried man, who never had any other children, toured but was never given a record deal. 

He had two sisters and a brother, who were all told about Matt, and the foundling was also given a letter from a lifelong friend of his father’s.

By placing his DNA on an online database that traces birth relatives, the ITV programme's search team found Matt's late birth father. Sadly, he passed away in 2013, having never known about his only child. Pictured, Matt

By placing his DNA on an online database that traces birth relatives, the ITV programme’s search team found Matt’s late birth father. Sadly, he passed away in 2013, having never known about his only child. Pictured, Matt

However, a lifelong friend of Matt's birth father sent a letter (pictured) to the foundling, explaining that had he known about his son, the musician would've 'stood before him with open arms and seen him as a gift'

However, a lifelong friend of Matt’s birth father sent a letter (pictured) to the foundling, explaining that had he known about his son, the musician would’ve ‘stood before him with open arms and seen him as a gift’

Co-presenter Davina McCall (pictured) told Matt how his father was just 24 when his only child was born

Co-presenter Davina McCall (pictured) told Matt how his father was just 24 when his only child was born

It read: ‘Although he cannot be with you today, knowing him as I did, I would like you to know, that you can rest assured that he would have been standing before you with open arms.

‘He was a sensitive and emotional man, and was never afraid to show his emotions. 

‘He knew how to make a person feel loved and you should know he would have shared that love with you today, and onwards. 

‘He would have seen you as a gift and I hope you can take comfort from knowing this.’

After reading the message, Matt said: ‘That’s nice, and you know sensitive and emotional man, and that’s me isn’t it. I wish I could’ve met him.’

Reaction: Twitter users rushed to comment on the episode, with one writing: 'The letter from the father's friend was absolutely beautiful. That's true empathy right there.'

Reaction: Twitter users rushed to comment on the episode, with one writing: ‘The letter from the father’s friend was absolutely beautiful. That’s true empathy right there.’

Matt was then told that his birth mother is still alive, but does not wish to come forward yet to share her story.

‘So she’s OK, that’s good,’ said Matt. ‘I don’t think I expected to feel this sort of happy and relieved.’

Earlier in the programme, Matt said of the note that was pinned to his knitted jacket as a baby: ‘It’s the most important thing I have’ and is convinced that, despite the freezing temperatures on the night he was abandoned, he was left to be found. 

Matt met the woman who discovered him in the phone box. She recollected that she saw a woman watching from a distance, confirming Matt’s suspicions that his birth mother was looking out for him.

Twitter users rushed to comment on the episode, with one writing: ‘The letter from the father’s friend was absolutely beautiful. That’s true empathy right there.’

Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace continues on ITV tonight at 9pm