Thursday, 13 August 2026

Who Do You Think You Are? — Katarina Johnson-Thompson

 

pocket watch placed on vintage-looking papers



Last Thursday’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? rounded off the series with athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson’s episode.

Katarina was keen to follow her father’s family in the Bahamas, where Katarina herself was born before moving to Liverpool as a small child.

We got a glimpse of Bahamian history — though perhaps if the episode had spent a little more time on this part of the family’s story, it would have made it even better — before following Katarina’s ancestors as they emigrated to Miami in Florida.

Thursday, 6 August 2026

Who Do You Think You Are? - Harriet Walter

 

Illustrated portrait of Marie Carandini
Harriet's ancestor, Marie Carandini;
National Library of Australia / Wikimedia Commons


Last Thursday’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? featured actress Harriet Walter, whose family are undeniably posh.

Much of this episode featured on the exploits of an Italian ancestor — the son of a noble family, who had the grandest of educations, but was drawn to ballet and the stage.

Thursday, 30 July 2026

Who Do You Think You Are? - Adeel Akhtar

 


antique clock



Last Thursday’s Who Do You Think You Are? saw Adeel Akhtar exploring his Indo-African roots.

This episode was super-interesting, and covered a part of history that we don’t get to hear about very often, following the Indian community in the heart of Nairobi, Kenya.

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Who Do You Think You Are? - Toby Jones

 

retro tv

Last Thursday’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? featured legendary British actor Toby Jones.

…And it seems that acting is not new to Toby’s family, with his mother being descended from several generations of actresses, and, indeed, being an actress herself.

Toby’s father was also an actor, but came from a more grounded background — working-class Stoke-on-Trent.

Thursday, 16 July 2026

Who Do You Think You Are? - Ruth Madeley

Dainty vintage tea-cup


Actress Ruth Madeley’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? aired last Thursday, bringing us back from our sports-related break.

Was it worth the wait? Yes!

This episode was amazing.

Monday, 15 June 2026

Who Do You Think You Are? - Joe Swash

 


Joe Swash’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? aired last Tuesday on BBC One — and it was such a good one!

Joe was keen to learn about the Italian side of his family — so that is exactly what this episode focussed on.

Monday, 8 June 2026

Who Do You Think You Are? - Amy Dowden



Welsh flag - a red dragon against a background of white sky and green grass



I had the opportunity, this week, to briefly appear on BBC’s Points of View to discuss this episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

You can see that on iPlayer here, with the WDYTYA? section starting around 8-10 minutes into the programme.