Gert has been under the spell of France for years. “I like French music, I bought something in Saint-Tropez. As a child I always went on holiday, camping with a bungalow tent. We were in the south of France for a month. That was fantastic.” The Studio 100 boss also got to know his first great love there, but their relationship ended in minor. “She lived with us, but I was so busy with my career. That was a problem, because she was just waiting for me at home. She didn’t have much to do and didn’t speak the language. In the end it became a lot of stress and I couldn’t handle it.” Yet Gert has always remembered her. “I have been with it for two years. Maybe even longer.”
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It’s been 35 years since the two last saw each other, but James did everything he could to find her. “We searched for it for months and finally found it yesterday. She is currently working as a receptionist for a company and when we called that company she answered.” Although Karine cannot be there because of her job, she has recorded a message so that Gert sees her again after all these years. “Hi, I’m KarineI’m Karine. Those are the only Dutch words I have remembered,” it says in the message. “I saw that you are still in showbiz and that you are married to Ellen. I am also married to Patrick,” she continues. “I wish you a long career, good luck to you and your family. With pleasure. Goodbye and kisses.” Verhulst remains his own self and reacts dryly: “This is strange. And you see it’s been thirty years, yes.”
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