Who do you think you are?

Is she the fowl mouthed one?

Oops! The programme discovered that Danny Dyer is related to two English kings and Thomas Cromwell

The programme di

That's hardly the point though. The programme is about the ancestors, not the celebrities. Also, much depends on what the researchers can find out. The most fascinating person could have a relatively tame history, and someone boring could come from a line of interesting people.

Trudy1925

GC has never been a favourite of mine but after the good reviews here, I’ll certainly watch!
Thank you all for the other suggestion too, Josh Widdicombe, Judi Dench and Olly Murs.

There is a vast difference in terms of celebrity between the these 3 real, bona-fide celebrities, ie Dame Judy Dench, ex-politician Ann Widdecombe & fabulous singer Ollie Murs in comparison to the reality "star" medocity of Gemma Collins. 😕

TheWeirdo

I simply can't stand her so I'd never watch anything with her in it!

Hear, hear The Weirdo, me neither. I was recently berated by some contributors on this site for saying as much; when she made an appearance on BBC's 'Who do you think you are' Why was she even given airtime for goodness sake! A terrible role-model for the younger women of today,

Katek

Jerry Springer is one to watch - older episode but very powerful. I second Josh Widdicombe and Judi Dench, but Alexander Armstrong and Rob Rinder episodes are well worth watching as well.

I mentioned JW and JD as the episodes are still on iPlayer. My favourite I think) was Jeremy Paxman, but I don't think it's available any more. One side of his family were solidly middle class and wealthy, and he was very comfortable with that. When he saw his origins on another side of the family, however, he was moved to tears.

I have watched the programme since it started, and no longer care who's on it. Sometimes people who are interesting in themselves have rather pedestrian ancestors, and people I've never heard of or who I don't particularly like have fascinating stories - it's very unpredictable.

I thought Gemma Collins was very good. She asked questions and shared information. She's gone up a few levels in my book. I always thought her rather brash but she wasn't with regard to this.

GC has never been a favourite of mine but after the good reviews here, I’ll certainly watch!
Thank you all for the other suggestion too, Josh Widdicombe, Judi Dench and Olly Murs.

I think the programme about Gemma Collins worked best if, like me, you had never heard of her before. When it started, and she was introduced, I nearly switched off, as I was immediately prejudiced by her overly "made up" appearance. However, I quickly got drawn into the story and also noticed in some parts, she was wearing little or no make up and looked quite ordinary. It impressed me that she was willing to appear on-screen without make up!

The main thing was that the story was fascinating - even if she had just been a random person - not any kind of "celebrity".

I simply can't stand her so I'd never watch anything with her in it!

Gemma Collins is an influencer and at our ages they don't usually appear on our radar. I enjoy this programme. At a big county WI event we had a speaker who worked as a researcher on this programme. They start with a long list of people and do basic research to see whether their family history would make a good programme. She mentioned that Tony Blair didn't make the cut as his past was not very interesting. After him being the main speaker at our annual National Federation meeting and using it as a political platform, she received a thunderous round of applause and much laughter.

DS watches the programme then tells me which ones he finds interesting and I will catch up on iplayer.
He told me Olly Murs and Gemma Collins were good so I watched them.
DS has all the records for our family and has Lways been interested in ancestry.

Jerry Springer is one to watch - older episode but very powerful. I second Josh Widdicombe and Judi Dench, but Alexander Armstrong and Rob Rinder episodes are well worth watching as well.

Good to hear the Gemma's episode was worth watching. I have the programme set to record each week. Watched Ole Murs last week, really good, so interesting, especially to me as I'm from Essex and have visited Riga in Lativa. Will watch Gemma tomorrow.

Yes, I agree V3ra re Josh's reactions - he was lovely.

I haven't seen the Judy Dench programme, but Josh Widdecombe's is amazing!
His reaction to each revelation was brilliant television 😲

Debbi58

She made her name in reality tv, and has since become a successful business woman. First time I've watched that particular programme, thought it was really interesting. Will watch a few more on iplayer now

Be sure to watch Josh Widdecombe and Judi Dench. They are excellent episodes.

I have never even heard the name Gemma Collins, let alone who she is, but I found the programme extremely interesting. Gemma came over as a very caring, kind daughter who wanted to give her mum a sense of self worth. I think she achieved what she set out to do.

Ilovedogs22

Oh Alison, it was just a commentary about the tv programmes of today.
I, in particular do not like reality programmes; the way they try to make very ordinary, often irritating people into stars/celebrities. It's happening across all the channels & stations yet wasn't heard of 20yrs ago bar, Big Btother. 😕

oh dear, you didn't watch the rubbish of 'Big Brother did you?

There was me thinking what a snob!

She made her name in reality tv, and has since become a successful business woman. First time I've watched that particular programme, thought it was really interesting. Will watch a few more on iplayer now

Oh Alison, it was just a commentary about the tv programmes of today.
I, in particular do not like reality programmes; the way they try to make very ordinary, often irritating people into stars/celebrities. It's happening across all the channels & stations yet wasn't heard of 20yrs ago bar, Big Btother. 😕

She came across as genuine sympathetic and caring for her Mum.

That’s a bit cruel - speaking as an Essex girl myself!😢

I loved Gemma's WDYTYA programme - a combination of WDYTYA and Long Lost Family. What a wonderful thing for her to be able to do for her mum.