In Mitcham in South London we meet Ashley and his mum, Denise. Ashley is hugely proud of his mum, a woman who, for years, has worked tirelessly to help her community even through her cancer diagnosis and subsequent mastectomy. Denise split with Ashley’s dad when he was very young and Ashley wants to talk about the times he felt unsafe without a male parent in the house and explore why Denise still thinks of him as her “golden child” even now he’s in his 30’s.

To get in touch just email vogue@mailonline.com. You can find us on Instagram and X @appletreepod. Let us know about your family stories - who knows, maybe we can meet next time!

Presenter: Vogue Williams

Producer: Rob Fitzpatrick

Editing: Tony Onu

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini

Executive Producer: Jamie East

Music written by Aloysius James and performed by Perry Ap Gwynedd and Lunar June

A Daily Mail Production. Seriously Popular.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices