Who Do You Think You Are?

Bill Oddie is the first celebrity to undergo the family tree search, as he endeavours to find out more about his mother, who was institutionalised when he was a child.

Actress Sue Johnston explores her roots.

Ian finds out more about the part his grandfathers played in the wars of the 20th Century.

David explores his Jewish roots and discovers some Orthodox Jewish relatives in London.

Meeras exploration takes her to the Punjab.

The stern host of BBC2s Newsnight searches for his roots.

An emotional journey as Stephen investigates his European Jewish roots.

Jane looks into her Lancashire roots.

Does Jeremy have roots in Ireland?

Boris Johnson knew a certain amount about his diverse family background, but was intrigued by several family stories and mysteries. He was particularly keen to investigate stories associated with the relatives of his paternal grandparents. Boriss grandfather, Wilfred Johnson, had never spoken about the murder of his Turkish father in the 1920s. Boris’s grandmother Irene Johnson (née Williams), known as Granny Butter, had always been the subject of derision in the family due to her grandiose claims of an aristocratic French background. So Boris set out on an international journey of discovery to separate fact from fiction.

If Esthers family is as genteel and respectable as shes always believed, where do the rumours of bigamy, fraud and murder come from? Stories of a black sheep have always intrigued her, as have the origins of the Rantzen side of the family. Her search for answers takes her from the slums of Spitalfields in London to the diamond mines of South Africa. Along the way she discovers the amazing story of a fugitive from justice.

Confusion reigns in David Suchets family history. Was his fathers father German, Russian or Estonian? Was his name Suchedowitz, Suchet or Shoket? David’s mothers family is equally confusing. Was her grandfather really a French photographer? And why did another ancestors ship sink off Norfolk? David travels across Europe hoping to find some answers.

"Most people assume that Im from a long line of gothic, castle-dwelling Welsh gentry", says Laurence, "but I dont think I am". However, an old family letter hints that some of these assumptions may in fact be correct. Following a tantalising clue left by great-aunt Kitty, Laurence sets out to investigate. Is there a long lost family estate and fortune somewhere in Somerset? Could Laurence really be a member of the landed gentry?

Fiona Bruce discovers the sad truth behind her great-grandfathers mysterious death, and returns to her familys ancestral home.

Actress Zoe Wanamaker traces the roots of her family back to the Ukraine via America and the anti-communist witch-hunt that caused her father Sam to flee to the UK.

Davina McCall makes some intriguing and shocking discoveries as she delves into her familys past, hoping to learn more about her maternal French heritage.

TV presenter Kate Humble knows little about her family history. What she does know is that her paternal grandfather was a test pilot, and she believes her maternal grandfather ended up in Colditz. On the trail of her grandfather Bill Humble, who was a test pilot during the Second World War, Kate visits the RAF Museum. She is astonished to discover what a legend Bill was in flying circles, and is amazed to see his daredevil flying for herself in archive film held there.

Liverpool-born Kim Cattrall sets out to solve a family mystery that has endured for more than seventy years, the disappearance of her grandfather.

During her search to find out if she is a real EastEnder, June unravels her Jewish heritage, and discovers how momentous historical events shaped her familys destiny, forcing them to migrate across Europe.

The former Olympic gold medal winner sets out to discover if there is any truth in his grandmothers claims that the familys origins were once quite grand.

Silent Witness star Emilia Fox tries to find out how far back her familys acting roots go.

Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb discovers how his paternal great-grandfather rose from poverty to become a decorated soldier, and heads to Paisley, Renfrewshire, to investigate a mysterious family breakdown.

Gregg Wallace sets out to solve a long-standing family mystery: what happened to his great-grandfather, Henry Roland Springett, who abandoned his wife and children, including Greggs grandfather, and was thought to have deserted the Navy?

Eurythmics singer and political activist Annie Lennox, whose grandmothers father died when she was only three, knows little about this branch of the family. Annies episode uncovers an extraordinarily dark tale of tangled family relationships blighted by illegitimacy and poverty. On her journey, Annie also discovers the humiliation her unmarried great, great grandmother suffered before the Scottish church.

Actress Alex Kingston knows that her great-grandfather, William Keevil, died during the First World War, leaving behind a wife and young family - including Alexs then 4-year-old grandmother. Alex sets out to investigate exactly what happened to William, and discovers how his pre-war career as a photographer put him in an unusual position. Alex has also heard rumours of Jewish ancestry in her family tree. Her quest to discover if this is true takes an unexpected turn, leading to a story involving her four-times great-grandmother, Elizabeth Braham, another widow with young children. As Alex delves further into Elizabeths life, she is astonished to discover the unconventional enterprise Elizabeth undertook to avoid sliding into poverty.

Actress Celia Imrie knows that she comes from a long line of aristocrats on her mothers side, but has always resisted finding out any more about her illustrious heritage; her fear is that they will turn out to be privileged and boring, but she is quickly proved very wrong. In a film that ranges from political intrigue to impotence, Celia traces her family back to the 17th century. She discovers an ancestor who broke all the rules and ended up in the Tower of London, and investigates the extraordinary political legacy of another ancestor, who was accused of plotting to kill King Charles II.

John Bishop finds out what happened to his great great grandfather, a POW in the Crimea.

Nigel Havers takes a look at his mothers line and travels to Cornwall to learn about a tale of illegitimacy worthy of a period drama. On his fathers side, he ends up in Colchester where he learns a tale of the Victorian equivalent of an Essex taxi driver made good, who ends up losing everything though.

Actress Lesley Sharp was adopted when she was just five weeks old. She traced her birth mother over twenty years ago and discovered that she was the result of her mothers affair with a married man. Now, knowing that her biological father has passed away, Lesley is ready to find out more about him. She traces her half siblings and follows her paternal line back to discover that her great great grandfather fostered Barnardos children. Lesley follows the trail of one of them, George Maybury, to Canada to meet Georges grandson and to find out what kind of home her great great grandfather provided.

TV personality Nick Hewer has fond memories of his maternal Irish grandfather but has always been intrigued about how a Catholic managed to reach the prestigious office of high sheriff in Protestant-dominated 1920s Belfast. On his fathers side, Nick goes further back - to his nine times great grandfather - and discovers how his familys fortunes were shaped by the English Civil War.

Comedian Sarah Millican is astonished to discover that her three times great grandfather was one of the first ever divers in the world. Sarah also follows the trail of her four times great grandfather, John Malcolm, to Canada where he worked for the Hudsons Bay Company. John was sent to a remote outpost involved in the fur trade. As Sarah follows in his footsteps, she makes a truly shocking discovery.

Veteran BBC news reporter and world affairs editor John Simpson always thought his great grandfather was Samuel F Cody, famous for being the first person to fly in Britain and a Wild West entertainer. It was only later that John discovered that his great grandmother, Lela King, had run off with Cody, taking her children with her. John follows the trail of his adventurous great grandmother and her life with Cody, the cowboy turned aviator. He also investigates what happened to the husband Lela left behind, Johns real great grandfather, and makes a shocking discovery.

Actor Brian Blessed has always loved his unusual name but has no idea where his Blessed ancestors came from. Born in Yorkshire, hed always assumed his family were northerners but, digging deeper, Brian discovers that his roots lie down south. Here he uncovers the story of his great-great-grandfather, Jabez Blessed - a tale of hardship, struggle and survival worthy of Oliver Twist.

Brendan OCarroll ditches his alter ego, Mrs Brown to turn detective, as he attempts to track down the men who murdered his grandfather at the height of the Irish War of Independence. Brendan never knew his grandfather, who was shot dead before he was born, and the only clues he has to go on are from a newspaper article of the time.

Bake Off star Mary Berry, still going strong at 79, believes she inherits her energy and drive from her father and sets off on a journey to find out more about his family. Along the way she discovers illegitimacy, bankruptcy, and even more astonishingly, a baker.

Presenter and DJ Reggie Yates grew up knowing very little about his fathers side of the family. Reggie sets out on the trail of his grandfather, Harry Philip Yates. His journey takes him to Ghana, where he unravels a complex family history where Ghanaian culture and British colonialism collide.

Twiggy grew up in London but her parents told her nothing at all about her family. She finds out about a history of strong women as well as a hint of crime.

Jane Seymour was born Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg and knows that there is Jewish ancestry on her father’s side of the family. She wants to find out about her Jewish great aunts Michaela and Jadwiga and their lives under Nazi occupation.

Jerry Hall knows her father’s family originally came from Oldham, but wants to discover how they ended up in America.

Actress Anne Reid was close to her father but knows very little about his family. She only has a couple of clues to go on - the name of a house in Scotland and a family story that her fathers side were ministers in the church. These clues soon put her on the trail of her great-great-grandfather John Reid - not a minister at all, but a schoolteacher in Fife with a sideline in forgery. When Johns forgeries land him in the dock his life takes an unexpected turn - to Tasmania, on a convict ship.

Journalist Anita Rani never met her maternal grandfather Sant Singh - all she has been told is that he suffered terrible tragedy at the time of Indias Partition. Anitas mother also tells her that Sant had another wife and family before marrying Anitas grandmother. Armed with this knowledge, Anita travels to India to see if she can find out more about her grandfathers first family - and discover what happened to them during Partition. Its an extraordinary and harrowing journey for Anita.

Frances de la Tours family tree holds a tantalising clue which hints at aristocratic ancestors. Hot on the trail of her three times great grandmother Frances uncovers a story of a secret lover, an illegitimate child and a landmark divorce case. But the scandal doesnt stop there. Tracing back another generation Frances uncovers the tragic story of Sophia Delaval - and traces her roots back to Seaton Delaval, the historic family residence.

Amanda Holden has always heard stories about a rumoured French ancestry on her mums side, and her investigation uncovers an extraordinary Napoleonic-era cross-channel romance. On her dads side, Amandas grandfathers suicide has always loomed large. But when his story takes Amanda to France once again, she is moved to discover how he helped others through a harrowing tragedy.

Singer Cheryl traces her roots and discovers a sea-faring ancestor and a family tragedy.

As the last of the McKellens, Sir Ian admits to a degree of melancholy as he delves into his family history. But the results pay off richly for one of Britains greatest actors and civil rights champions. Ians journey uncovers a theatrical ancestor, a Victorian political activist and a link to an ancient Druidical landmark in the Lake District.

Actor Warwick Davis owes his big break aged 11 to his paternal grandmother Edith, who heard a radio ad looking for short people to appear in Return of the Jedi. Warwick takes a non-judgemental approach as he researches the family line stretching back from Edith, finding humanity and humour in some uncomfortable stories. On his maternal side, Warwick is equally open-minded when he finds out about his three-times-great-grandfather - a postman who lived a double life.

BBC News presenter Sophie Raworth investigates her fathers side of the family, and discovers a tragic but inspiring tale of ancestors who risked everything to move to America in search of religious freedom. Closer to home, she explores a family rumour that her great grandfather worked at Kew Gardens, and is astonished to uncover a horticultural heritage stretching back to the 1700s and pineapples.

Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood reveals his softer side. Heading to his home town of Ballarat in Australia, Craig investigates what happened to his great-great-great-grandfather who risked everything in the Australian Gold Rush. A visit to his beloved 100-year-old grandmother sends Craig in pursuit of another maverick ancestor. Craigs great-great-grandfather Harry turns out to have been the life of the party and, better still, a fabulous dancer.

Citizen Khan star Adil Ray identifies as Brummie, British, Muslim, Pakistani and African - his mum came to England from newly independent Kenya with her family in 1967. Heading back to east Africa, Adil traces his mixed Asian and African ancestry across Kenya to Uganda. On the trail of rumours of a link to African royalty, Adil meets African relatives for the first time in the traditional kingdom of Buganda and is amazed to discover the truth about his lineage.

Pop star Lulu has always wanted to get to the bottom of a family mystery. She knows that her mum, the middle child of seven, was the only one to be given up by her birth parents and raised by another family, but she has no idea why. Lulu travels home to Glasgow, where she uncovers the real-life Romeo and Juliet story of her Catholic grandfather and Protestant grandmothers love affair across the citys strict sectarian divide. Digging deeper, she discovers some dark secrets about her grandfathers past which force her to reassess what she thought she knew about her mums story.

Actor and film-maker Noel Clarke grew up in west London with his single-parent mum, and this left one side of his family tree a mystery to him. His search starts in Trinidad, where both his parents are from, but soon takes him on a trail to other islands, ending on one of the smallest and most beautiful in the Caribbean. There he learns of an extraordinary great-great-great-great-grandfather called Glasgow Bedeau, who was born into slavery. The music Glasgows enslaved parents and grandparents passed down reveals the part of Africa from which Noels ancestors were taken.

Ruby Waxs Jewish parents fled Vienna and the Nazis for America in 1938. They took the war with them and brought it to our kitchen, says the comedian and mental-health campaigner at the start of this remarkable episode. They raised their only daughter in a dramatically dysfunctional household - Rubys father was volatile and her mother hysterical... screaming in the street. Ruby wonders if her own mental illness had its origins in her upbringing and the trauma her parents went through, or whether it is in her familys genes. Ruby journeys to central Europe, where she learns about her parents flight and the distressing fate of family who remained in Vienna during the war, and she makes a startling discovery about her great-aunt and great-grandmother, which is both harrowing and surprisingly affirming.

Actress Olivia Colman claims to be the least adventurous person I know. As for her ancestors, apart from a rumour that there was a Frenchwoman somewhere in her family tree, Olivia thinks they are largely from Norfolk, so she is astonished to discover that she needs to travel to India to find out more about her great-great-great-grandmother Harriot. Olivia finds records that reveal Harriot was an orphan in 1811 on a ship bound for England from (then) Calcutta. Harriots father was an Englishman, but the identity of her mother, who gave birth to her in a remote Indian village, is a mystery Olivia delights in solving.

Iconic pop star Boy George grew up in south London in an Irish family. George expects to find a lot of sadness in his family tree. He knows that his maternal grandmother was found wandering the streets of Dublin as a small child and put in a childrens home and wants to find out how she came to be in such a dire situation. Hes also heard that another ancestor was hanged in Dublins Mountjoy Gaol and is somehow connected to Kevin Barry who was commemorated in a well-known Irish rebel song. As George uncovers the grim details of what really happened to his grandmother and his great uncle, he also delights in a new sense of his family being truly part of Irish history.

DJ, presenter and former member of boy band JLS, Marvin Humes delves into his Jamaican and his English heritage, and finds exceptional stories on both sides of the family. Deep in the Jamaican countryside, Marvins discoveries about the lives of his black ancestors during the time of slavery turn his expectations upside down. In England, Marvins follows the trail of his great-grandfather about whom he knows almost nothing. But Marvins research reveals a hero, who overcame a traumatic childhood to play a part in one of the most dramatic events of the Second World War.

Paralympic gold medal winner Jonnie Peacock was named for his maternal grandad, who died the year before he was born. Like Jonnie, his grandad was a sportsman - an excellent amateur footballer scouted by a professional team, only to be thwarted by parental pressure to take a proper job as a painter/decorator. Pushing back down the generations, Jonnie uncovers the legacy of poverty and unexpected disease that led the family to value job security over the beautiful game. On his fathers side, Jonnie is captivated by his four-times-great-grandmother, branded a bad character in 1841 by a local village policeman. But Jonnies further research reveals a strong woman prepared to stand up in court and testify against the men who had wronged her.

Actor Naomie Harris’s dramatic discoveries in this episode inspire her to anger, sadness and tears of joy. On a journey from Trinidad to Grenada to Jamaica, Naomie exposes her four-times-great grandfather’s involvement in the exploitation of so-called liberated Africans shortly after the abolition of slavery, is delighted to discover the identify of her African five-times-great grandmother, and, in nearer generations, uncovers a family story of tragic poverty in Jamaica’s capital, Kingston.

Oscar-winning actor Kate Winslet follows a rumour of Scandinavian ancestry on her mothers side of the family and is delighted to find that she has Swedish heritage.

Paul Merton traces the life of his maternal grandfather and discovers that he was involved in some of the key events that led to Irish independence in the 1920s.

Former TOWIE star Mark Wright discovers that his ancestors included an Andalucian master swordsman and a Spaniard who was burned at the stake during the Inquisition.

David Walliams learns of his great-grandfather’s traumatic experiences during the First World War, which condemned him to a lifetime in what was then called a lunatic asylum.

Silent Witness actor Liz Carr gets forensic about her family history, discovering that her great-great-great-grandfather was involved in an attempted murder in rural Northern Ireland in the 1850s.

Shakespearean actor, movie star and national treasure Dame Judi Denchs journey begins with her father Reginald Dench, who never spoke of his experiences during the First World War, as she tries to find out how he won his gallantry medals. Judi’s investigations then take a truly epic turn, leading her to 16th-century Denmark and nobility. Judi also discovers, to her delight, some incredible Shakespearean links.

Comedian and presenter Joe Lycett manages to find humour everywhere, but apart from his Edwardian great grandad – a member of the Royal Antediluvian Order of the Buffaloes in Nottingham – Joe uncovers a darker family history. Joe finds out that his two-times-great grandfather Robert Wilkinson was a boy chimney sweep in the 1850s. Joining the Royal Marines, Robert travelled the world; but his involvement in razing villages in China following the Opium Wars leads to alcoholism and a breakdown.

YouTuber and actor Joe Sugg uncovers some incredible stories in his family tree, with a little help along the way from fellow social media star and big sister, Zoe. Joe, very aptly, discovers a great-great-great-grandfather who was involved in the earliest days of communications technology – in electrical telegraphs. Pushing further back, he finds seven-times-great-grandparents who fled religious persecution in France, and a goldsmith who survived the Great Fire of London.

Sue Perkins delves into the German branch of her family, uncovering a harrowing tale of refugees fleeing back and forth across east European borders during the Second World War.

Ralf Little heads to Orkney to investigate his grandfather Arthur’s role in one of the most important battles of the Second World War. He also finds an international footballer in the family.

As actress Claire Foy delves into her family tree, the personal testimony she uncovers reveals stories of tragedy and an accusation of murder that bring communities together.

Kevin Clifton investigates the rumour of an ancestor from Canada’s First Nations, taking him on an extraordinary journey to the country’s remote 18th-century trading posts.

Comedian and actor Emily Atack knows she is from a long line of larger-than-life entertainers. Her mum is singer, actor and comedian Kate Robbins and Paul McCartney is Emily’s grandmother’s cousin, making him Emily’s first cousin twice removed. Recalling fun days out with the McCartney family when she was little and how Grandad Mike turned every opportunity into a comedy show, Emily sets out to find out more about her showbiz genes.

Chris Ramsey has always felt lucky, so he’s delighted to learn it runs in the family as he uncovers the stories of ancestors who survived a deadly WWI battle and won a lottery.

Vicky McClure goes on an emotional journey to Taiwan to find out what happened when her great-grandfather was captured as a prisoner of war in World War Two.

Melanie Chisholm is fascinated to discover that her ancestors include a moneylender, a campaigner for social reform and a family fleeing the famine in Ireland.

Jessica Ennis-Hill discovers the truth behind a family mystery and finds out about her Jamaican four-time great-grandfather’s journey from enslavement to land ownership.

Gemma Collins goes on an emotional journey discovering why her mother was fostered; connecting with a long-lost cousin; and finding out her Essex roots go back over 200 years.

In an unexpected twist, Mishal Husain’s journey into her family tree takes her from India to the east coast of the USA, where she discovers some revolutionary ancestors.

Actor Layton Williams finds generations of Londoners in his family and is delighted to find they walked the same streets as him. In Jamaica, he makes some distressing discoveries.

From the French battlefields of the First World War to a romance worthy of First Dates, maître d’ and presenter Fred Sirieix goes to France to explore his family tree.

Setting aside her clueless historian persona Philomena Cunk, Diane Morgan is unsettled and amused by having to genuinely go in search of the truth to reveal her family history.