Who Do You Think You Are? series 8 line up

This summer, the beloved family history show Who Do You Think You Are? is back on BBC One and iPlayer.

The show is celebrating 20 years of delighting viewers with celebrities uncovering the mysteries of their family trees.

Vicky McClure

BAFTA and RTS award-winning actress Vicky McClure discovers her great-grandfather’s harrowing experience as a Japanese Prisoner of War. The journey reveals a deeply emotional chapter in her family’s history, connecting her to the resilience of her ancestors.

Paddy McGuinness

Presenter, actor, and comedian Paddy McGuinness delves into his grandfather’s crucial role during World War Two. He also investigates the origins of his McGuinness surname in Ireland, discovering that he nearly wasn’t a McGuinness at all, adding an unexpected twist to his family story.

Olly Murs

BRIT-nominated pop star Olly Murs heads to Riga, Latvia, where he uncovers a lineage of circus performers, highlighting that entertainment truly runs in his blood. His exploration brings to life the vibrant, artistic roots of his family.

Melanie Chisholm (Mel C)

Former Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm, known as Mel C, unearths a political activist in her ancestry and learns about her family’s survival during the Great Famine in Ireland. Her journey sheds light on the strength and activism embedded in her heritage.

Rose Ayling-Ellis

Actor and disability rights campaigner Rose Ayling-Ellis unveils a historical incident that mirrors an EastEnders episode, which occurred in a pub in Birmingham. Her investigation brings a dramatic and personal connection to her own acting career.

Gemma Collins

Emotions run high for Essex-born reality TV star Gemma Collins as she meets a family member she never knew existed. Her journey through her family history reveals that her Essex roots go back even further than she thought, deepening her connection to her hometown.

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill

Olympic gold medallist Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill travels to Jamaica to learn about her relative’s incredible journey from enslavement to landownership. Her story is one of triumph and resilience, shedding light on the strength of her ancestors.

Expect shocking discoveries and epic revelations as seven celebrities embark on their ancestral journeys, uncovering family secrets that span centuries.

From circus antics to embezzlement, life-changing accidents, the Cold War, and tales of triumph against the odds, this series promises an extraordinary array of stories.

Viewers will be taken across the UK and around the world, including Ireland, Taiwan, Jamaica, and Latvia, as the celebrities search for answers.

This season catches all the celebrities by surprise as they investigate their family histories, not knowing what they might find.

Over the past 20 years, the series has featured celebrities like Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, Kate Winslet, Graham Norton, Danny Dyer, Michelle Keegan, Robert Rinder, Naomie Harris, Bruce Forsyth, Alex Scott, Olivia Colman, Warwick Davis, Daniel Radcliffe, Anita Rani, and Reggie Yates.

Who Do You Think You Are? has revealed connections to global royalty and historical figures, uncovering uncanny parallels between celebrities and their ancestors.

The new series of Who Do You Think You Are? airs on Thursday nights at 9PM on BBC One and iPlayer.