MANSFIELD WOODHOUSE: Surprise Surprise for Yvette

The Peafield Lane resident told Chad that she thought she was just going to watch a recording of the Sunday night programme, presented by Holly Willoughby.

But the spotlight turned on the 51-year-old when she was recognised for her years of endless work for charity and good causes, following a year of secrecy from family and production staff.

ITV staff first came to Yvette’s home in April and told her they were making a documentary about women who had devoted their lives to voluntary work, she said.

But the footage was really for Surprise Surprise and husband Tony and daughter Rebecca were in on the act.

Yvette (pictured) said: “Holly Willoughby came into the area we were sitting in. She thrust a microphone in my face and said, ‘I know a lot about you Yvette Price-Mear’, and I nearly died.

“I didn’t have a clue what it was all about and as Holly led Rebecca and me to the famous settee, she put her arm around me and said, ‘I know it’s a shock but just enjoy it. It’s a wonderful experience’.

“Then Rebecca said, ‘It’s taken a year to set this up, mum’.

“Holly asked me what I did for a living and I replied that I didn’t have a paid job but I did a lot of voluntary work.

“Then they projected some of the footage shot in April of me visiting people, then Rebecca appeared saying very lovely things about me.”

Yvette was taken to London for a week of theatre-going and said she didn’t suspect a thing when she was taken to the ITV studio.

Two years ago, Chad reported how Yvette had been awarded the prestigious Order of Mercy medal for her service to the community.

Yvette added: “All of this started when I read an article in the Chad in 1983 about a local man who took exchange students into his home.

“I decided to give it a try and we’ve had people come and stay every year.”