Hugs and tears all round as Julia Roberts' brother Eric is reunited with his estranged stepson after 16 years of silence
They had been estranged for 16 years so it made for emotional viewing when they were finally reunited, particularly given the circumstances under which they became estranged.
Bringing many viewers to tears this is the moment when Eric Roberts finally reunited with his step-son Keaton on Celebrity Rehab.
Eric ,54, who is the brother of Pretty Women star Julia Roberts, entered the reality TV rehabilitation clinic in an attempt to combat a marijuana addiction.
Emotional hug: Eric Roberts and stepson Keaton Simons reunited on Celebrity Rehab after spending 16 years not speaking
Facing the truth: Eric and Keaton spoke about the argument that had led to their fallout and about how Eric's addiction had affected their family
Keaton Simons, 32, agreed to reunite with his step-father during the show putting the aggressive incidents of the past behind them.
The pair, who had not spoken since a violent argument 16-years ago left Roberts with broken ribs, shared an emotional embrace as they forgave each other.
Speaking about the fight that separated them Keaton said: ‘ We got into a fight and I went up and got a bat and hit him in his ribs,’
Moved to tears: Eric's wife and Keaton's mother Eliza Garrett witness the emotional reunion
‘Then I punched him and I hit him in the head and he was still taunting me when I left.’
The touching reunion was overseen by Keaton’s mother and Eric’s wife of 18 years Eliza Garrett.
As the pair embraced Keaton said: ’I'm glad we could take this step.’
Roberts replied: ‘I hate this happy and crying shit... It irritates me... I miss you so much because I know you.’
Touching performance: After Keaton had sang a rendition of Unstoppable Eric embraced him on stage
The emotionally charged atmosphere climaxed when Keaton sand his song Unstoppable and onlookers burst into tears.
Eric, who also seemed reduced to tears hugged his step-son after his performance.
And the relationship seems to have gone from strength to strength since the show finished filming in August last year.
Appearing on a US Radio show the men appeared jovial and in high spirits with Eric even sharing a joke that ‘my sex life is with his mother’ during the Loveline show.
Fresh start: Since filming the Celebrity rehab show the pair have rebuilt their relationship
Speaking about why Eric had entered the rehabilitation show wife Eliza told an LA
Times reporter: ‘He wanted to set the record straight and highlight that you can get a real dependency on pot.’
The Hills' Jason Wahler, singer Keyshia Cole's mother Frankie Lons and oil heir Jason Davis also undergo the detox and psychiatric therapy on Celebrity Rehab.
Former supermodel Janice Dickinson also took part in the fourth series of the U.S. Reality TV show which documented her hitting rock bottom as she battled against drink and prescription drugs.
During scenes of an earlier episode Janice sobbed uncontrollably as she had a panic attack and lay down on the floor wailing: ‘I’m so f***ed up, totally f***ed up.’
Touching times: Janice Dickinson, who has had her fair share of emotional moments during the show watched Keaton's performance
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