Advertisement

'Who Do You Think You Are' viewers can't believe Josh Widdicombe is descended from royalty

Katie Archer
·Contributor
·2-min read
WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 05/10/2021 - Programme Name: Who Do You Think You Are? S18 - TX: n/a - Episode: Who Do You Think You Are? S18 - Josh Widdicombe (No. Josh Widdicombe) - Picture Shows: at Hever Castle & Gardens, Edenbridge. **STRICTLY EMBARGOED NOT FOR PUBLICATION UNTIL 00:01 HRS ON TUESDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2021** Josh Widdicombe - (C) Wall to Wall Media Ltd - Photographer: Stephen Perry
Josh Widdicombe was shocked he was related to royalty. (Wall to Wall Media Ltd/Stephen Perry)

Who Do You Think You Are? has returned for a new series featuring comedian Josh Widdicombe - with viewers in disbelief over his royal lineage.

The stand-up comedian and panel show regular was the celebrity discovering his family tree in the popular genealogy show on Tuesday night, where the revelations about his royal ancestors rivalled those of Danny Dyer.

Read more: Mark Wright learns he's related to a murderer on Who Do You Think You Are?

In the classic 2016 episode, EastEnders star Dyer was told that he was descended from King Edward III, but the new series of the BBC One show proved he isn't the only celebrity with unexpected royal connections.

Widdicombe called the programme "one of the most incredible experiences of my life" as viewers saw him given the shock news that his 13-time great-grandmother was a cousin of Queen Elizabeth I, and his 23-time great-grandfather was King Edward I, making him a direct descendant of French royalty.

The most fascinating revelation was that his 12-time great-grandmother was in a royal love triangle that suggested he was related to Anne Boleyn and could be a descendant of King Henry VIII.

One shocked viewer tweeted: "HE'S DONE IT! He's gone full Danny Dyer!"

Someone else joked: "So Josh Widdicombe is basically the next Queen of England & France."

Programme Name: Who Do You Think You Are? S18 - TX: n/a - Episode: Who Do You Think You Are? S18 - Announcement (No. Announcement) - Picture Shows: Pixie Lott, Joe Lycett, Alex Scott, Dame Judi Dench, Joe Sugg, Josh Widdicombe, Ed Balls - (C) Wall to Wall Media Ltd - Photographer: Stephen Perry
'Who Do You Think You Are?' has returned for series 18. (Wall to Wall Media Ltd/Stephen Perry)

The amazing revelations made for what some viewers called "the best edition ever" of the programme as the stunned comedian struggled to take in the information.

One viewer tweeted: "One of the great episodes of #WhoDoYouThinkYouAre loving watching @joshwiddicombe and his family, it’s like a Philippa Gregory novel brought to life."

Someone else wrote: "Goodness me, that Josh Widdicombe is a tad uber-posh, isn't he! Not to mention uber-royal!"

Read more: Dermot O'Leary's past too dull for Who Do You Think You Are?

Another person added: "I’ve watched this programme for years, am an amateur genealogist and Tudor fanatic! This really is the best edition ever … what a discovery for your family @joshwiddicombe."

The current series is also set to feature Dame Judi Dench, Pixie Lott, Alex Scott, Joe Lycett, Joe Sugg and Ed Balls.

Watch: Josh Widdicombe learns he is a descendant of King Edward I