Who Do You Think You Are? returns for a new series with star-studded line up including David Walliams

Who Do You Think You Are?
BBC

The new series starts on BBC One in October...

Next month will see the return of Who Do You Think You Are? to BBC One as some very famous faces unravel their family history.

The award-winning genealogy show is back with David Walliams, Jodie Whittaker, Ruth Jones and Liz Carr all appearing in the four-part series.

As the celebrities dig into their family past, there will be tears, shocks and tragedies, as well as laughter and some surprising revelations...

Jodie Whittaker

Who do you think you are? Jodie Whittaker

Jodie discovered some uncomfortable truths about her great-great Grandfather (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC)

Jodie Whittaker, best known for her roles in Doctor Who and Broadchurch, learns the truth behind a family myth surrounding her great uncle’s sacrifice in WWI.

Jodie will also unearth some uncomfortable truths about her great-great grandfather in Yorkshire. 

Speaking about the journey the show took her on, Jodie said: "I discovered people and events that I had no idea existed before this.

"I was lucky to go home and see my Mum and Dad, lucky to see places I'd never been to before, and lucky to meet and shake hands with (!) some wonderful and intelligent people whose insight into history blew my mind."

More: Doctor Who's Peter Davison joins Call the Midwife for 2020 Christmas special 

David Walliams

Who do you think you are? David Walliams

David discovered his ancestor was an entertainer (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC)

In his episode, Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams will discover a great-great grandfather who, after becoming blind, forged a career as a travelling entertainer.

Walliams also uncovers a more tragic story surrounding his paternal great grandfather’s experiences following WWI.

David said: "I’m delighted to have taken part in the series. I started off the journey knowing very little about my ancestry.

"In making the programme I found out lots of family history I would never would have learned of. I was pleased to discover that being an entertainer runs in the family."

Liz Carr

Who do you think you are? Liz Carr

Liz's family history includes attempted murder! (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC)

Next up is Silent Witness star Liz Carr, who investigates aancestors role in an attempted murder.

Speaking of her episode, Liz said: I have loved every moment of discovery, of following in the footsteps of my ancestors and learning how the past really has informed my present.

"Before doing Who Do You Think You Are? all I really knew about my ancestors was that they had died but now I know that they lived and how they lived.

"I like knowing that, I like knowing who they were and I feel very proud to be related to them."

Ruth Jones 

Who do you think you are? Ruth Jones

Ruth said being on Who Do You Think You Are? is one of the best experiences of her life (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC)

Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones also made some surprising discoveries about her ancestors, including a family connection to the origins of the National Health Service.

"Filming Who Do You Think You Are? was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had," confessed Ruth.

"I feel so privileged to have been taken on this spectacular journey into my heritage and to have discovered so much about my ancestors."

Who Do You Think You Are? returns to BBC One in October. 

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.