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Genealogy
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New Series of Who Do You Think You Are

33 replies

LaliqueSaltGrinder · 04/06/2026 08:55

Anyone watching? I liked the Zoe Ball episode, interesting story on both sides ofher family and she came across very well.

The Amy Dowden one was interesting but there was a fair amount of her leaping to conclusions such as people being hard working, or the motives for murder when there was no evidence for it. She did come across as very engaged with it all though.

OP posts:
SwedishEdith · 12/06/2026 21:50

Yes, he was good fun. And he's usually a "Quick, where is the remote?" whenever he appears on TV person.

likelysuspect · 16/06/2026 21:44

Where is this tonight? Just bumped for the footie?

Disgraceful.

Original poster
LaliqueSaltGrinder · 16/06/2026 21:50

Must be bumped for football. Disappointed.

OP posts:
Halsall · 16/06/2026 21:59

WimbleOfWombledon · 07/06/2026 16:13

I’ve watched since the first series and I’m getting very frustrated with how slow it’s become - I’m sure in earlier series there were more investigations done and more ancestors stories told. Now we get 30 minutes on one long drawn out incident like the killing of Amy’s family member. With far too much chat and making things up from the celebrities!

I do like Jonny and Zoe Ball though!

I agree - it feels very frustrating and 'bitty' now they trace a few family members from both sides in each programme. I'm sure it used to be more of a coherent trail through the same line, and they took it back further (the ultimate being the famous 'related to God' one - was that Matthew Pinsent?). It felt far more interesting, somehow.

(Btw I was dying to know why Johnny Ball's middle name was 'Thalben' when they showed the Ball family tree - Thalben Ball was a famous organist, but born in Australia. I can’t believe they were actually related but I'd love to know!)

PopPopPoppies · 16/06/2026 23:20

Btw I was dying to know why Johnny Ball's middle name was 'Thalben' when they showed the Ball family tree
Despite what Google AI overview(!) says, he is not related to Thalben-Ball. According to an article in the Dundee Courier on 28 March 1980, Johnny Ball's father was an admirer of the classical organist, so named his son after him.

GrimDamnFanjo · 17/06/2026 00:21

SwedishEdith · 07/06/2026 10:46

Yeah, sorry, I wasn't clear. I know there are a few other programmes that are DNA based but I was wondering if they also do a DNA test now to back up the paper trail? But don't say so. If you're convinced your great grandparents did x, y and z, but then discover you're not related to them at all, it makes the paper trail (for the celeb), meaningless, possibly.

I remember the Alistair McGowan one where they discovered an ancestor wasn't who he thought it was but that must have been through documents. Might need to rewatch. But he was quite shocked/upset. So I was wondering if they did DNA tests as well. That way, they'd mitigate that shock and would be more assured that the paper trail was correct.

That’s one of my favourite ones!
to give Alastair his due, his ancestry must have come as quite a surprise when iirc the family had accepted the different skin tone was a result of working in greenhouses…

my second favourite was I think John hurt when he discovered he wasn’t actually Irish after all…

Halsall · 17/06/2026 11:04

I just watched the Joe Swash one (missed it somehow) and, while I normally give him a big swerve, I thought it was great - much more like the WDYTYO of old. And he’s quite a good-looking chap when he’s not wildly gurning!

BestIsWest · 18/06/2026 10:26

I enjoyed the Joe Swash one too. He came across well and it was an interesting story.
I think my all time favourite was Kevin Clifton. That was a truly surprising story.

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