Who Do You Think You Are?

Series 8

Every year the popular BBC seriesWho Do You Think You Are?brings us a host of new and exciting stories. We have taken a look at each celebrity as they journey into their family history, and you can read about their discoveries in our articles.

Series 8 Articles

Tracey Emin

Tracey was brought up in Margate with her twin brother Paul. Her father owned the Hotel International in Margate. He was not married to her mother but was married to another woman with whom he had a separate family and he split his time between the two.

Len Goodman

This episode of the 'Who Do You Think You Are''series is well timed as it features Strictly Come Dancing head judge, Len Goodman. Len was born Leonard Gordon Goodman in 1944, at the end of the Second World War, and his birth was registered in Bromley, although he spent his early years in Bethnal Green.

Richard Madeley

Richard attended Coopers Company School but rather than go to university Richard began his career in media through local newspapers. At the age of 19 he moved to BBC radio, before moving into television.

Robin Gibb

Robin Gibb, from the Australian group 'the Bee Gees',was raised in Australia, although he was originally born in the Isle of Man to British parents Hugh Gibb and Barbara Pass. They have an older brother Barry, as well as an older sister Lesley and younger brother Andrew.

Alan Carr

Alan Carr explores the mysterious circumstances surrounding a change of name on the maternal line of his tree. Several members of Alan's paternal line can be traced back through the census years...

Emilia Fox

The fifth celebrity taking part in this year's 'Who Do You Think You Are' series, Emilia Fox is best known for her role as Dr Nikki Alexander in the BBC series 'Silent Witness'. Born in Hammersmith 31st July 1974 to parents Edward Fox and Joanna David (Joanne Hacking), Emilia is descended from a well known theatrical line.

Larry Lamb

Larry is well known for his television role on 'Eastenders' and 'Gavin and Stacey'. The programme will look into Larry's colourful ancestors and his mother's biological line after she was adopted.

Seb Coe

Sebastian Coe, former athlete and politician, is the latest to take part in the WDYTYA? TV series for 2011. Coached by his father Peter, Seb went on to win a number of medals at the Olympics.

J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter author J K Rowling was born on 31st July 1965, in Yate, Gloucestershire, to Peter James Rowling and his wife Anne Volant. Joanne's mother Anne, who passed away in 1990, was the grand-daughter of Louis Volant, born in France in 1878. The 'Who Do you Think You Are?' episode will be looking in depth at Rowling's French ancestry.

June Brown

June Brown featured in this year's BBC series 'Who Do You Think You Are?' is best known for her role as 'Dot Cotton' in the British soap EastEnders. June, one of five children to Harry and Louisa Brown was evacuated during World War II to Pontyates in Wales and was later to become a Wren.

BBC launching new series of Who Do You Think You Are?

The latest series of BBC's 'Who Do You Think You Are?' begins on 10th August with more famous faces exploring their ancestry. Past episodes have been emotional, heart warming and at times shocking, and it looks as though the new series will be just as gripping.