On June 17, 2010, the popular BBC genealogy program, Who Do You Think You Are?, announced the new lineup of celebrities for the upcoming season. Series 8 WDYTYA stars will include Bruce Forsyth, Rupert Everett, Jason Donovan, Alan Cumming, Alaxander Armstrong, Hugh Quarshie, Rupert Penry-Jones, Dervla Kirwan, and Monty Don. Episodes will begin airing in July.
2010 Who Do You Think You Are? Highlights
The Who Do You Think You Are? staff isn’t telling all the details, but they’ve dropped hints about some of the discoveries the celebrities will make during the Series 8 episodes.
Bruce Forsyth
WIth numerous television entertainment shows to his credit, Bruce Forsyth now hosts Strictly Come Dancing. With the help of the Who Do You Think You Are? staff, Forsyth will be able to look into some family legends and secrets, including an ancestor’s time in America and a mysterious letter hinting at bigamy.
Jason Donovan
Australian actor and singer Jason Donovan will search out his mother’s family tree. She left the family when he was only four, and Who Do You Think You Are? promises some shocking discoveries. Donovan is known for both his singing career and his film and theatre performances.
Alan Cumming
Tony Award-winning Scottish actor Alan Cumming has had an extensive stage, television and film career. On WDYTYA, he will research his grandfather, looking for details of his heroic actions during the Malaysian Emergency.
Rupert Everett
Sometimes family history turns up more than just unknown details - Rupert Everett is set to discover an unknown uncle in Africa. As an actor, Everett is best known for his film roles, including My Best Friend’s Wedding and Shakespeare in Love.
Dervla Kirwan
Dervla Kirwan, an Irish actress known for her roles in British television, will search for knowledge about her connections to Michael Collins, and will discover at least one family tragedy. Genealogy is becoming a family project this summer - she is married to Rupert Penry-Jones.
Rupert Penry-Jones
While his wife searches her Irish roots, actor Rupert Penry-Jones travels to India on a quest for answers about family legends. His television career includes many series and films, most notably Spooks.
Monty Don
Gardener and television presenter Monty Don was the long-time host of BBC’s Gardeners’ World, and is currently hosting Mastercrafts. He’ll get to look for stories about his heritage – what happened to the family fortune and how Scottish history was changed by one of his ancestors.
Alexander Armstrong
Alexander Armstrong’s career includes acting, but he is best known as a comedian, especially for his role in Armstrong and Miller. Armstrong’s genealogy search will uncover famous relatives and murder mysteries in his heritage.
Hugh Quarshie
Actor Hugh Quarshie has appeared in many film and television shows, and is a longtime cast member of Holby City. Now Who Do You Think You Are? will help him dig into stories of love and romance as well as 19th century Africa.
US & UK Versions of Who Do You Think You Are?
Until the new series of Who Do You Think You Are? begins in July, viewers can feed their genealogy habits with the US series, now airing on BBC One on Sundays.
Readers not familiar with Who Do You Think You Are? may wish to read about both the UK and US versions as well as the magazine.
Jennifer Jensen - Jennifer Jensen is an Indiana writer just returned from a lovely few years in County Cork, Ireland. She has been the Feature Writer for ...
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