Who Do You Think You Are? Series 21 lineup announced

3-4 minute read

By Daisy Goddard | June 11, 2024

A brand new batch of celebs will be delving into their family trees this summer. Here's everything you need to know.

Family history fans will be delighted to hear that everyone's favourite genealogy show, Who Do You Think You Are?, will be returning to screens for a new series this summer. Previous episodes have seen everyone from Dame Judi Dench to Danny Dyer discover the stories of their ancestors.

Start your family tree

In Series 20 of Who Do You Think You Are?, Bear Grylls, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lesley Manville and more unearthed fascinating details about their roots. Just a year before, Series 19 gave Sue Perkins, Matt Lucas and Richard Osman the chance to do the same.

The show celebrates its 20 year anniversary in 2024 - making this series an extra special one.

Where can you watch the new season of Who Do You Think You Are?

As ever, Who Do You Think You Are? will air on BBC One in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Regular viewers can expect it to appear at its usual timeslot - after which episodes will be uploaded to BBC iPlayer. To ensure you never miss an episode, you'll be able to watch Series 21 on demand on iPlayer.

When will Who Do You Think You Are? Series 21 air?

Series 21 will air in the summer of 2024 - although an exact date has not yet been confirmed. Be sure to check back on this page, as we'll be keeping you updated with the latest news about the new season, including its release date.

Who is in the next series of Who Do You Think You Are?

With a list of star-studded names confirmed, Series 21 will not disappoint. Here are the famous faces that will be appearing on the new season of Who Do You Think You Are?.

Melanie Chisholm

Series 21 will see 'Sporty Spice' Melanie Chisholm unearth the story of a political activist ancestor, and connect with the struggles experienced by her Irish family.

Sven Mandel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Paddy McGuinness

Comedian and TV presented Paddy McGuinness will take a closer look at his Irish surname, and discover his grandfather's moving wartime contributions.

Simon P Blackburn at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Vicky McClure

This BAFTA-winning Line of Duty actress will be learning more about her great-grandfather's experience as a Prisoner of War in Japan.

Christopher William Adach from London, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill

Olympic gold medalist Jessica Ennis-Hill will travel to Jamaica, to learn the story of ancestor who went from enslavement to owning his own land.

Alasdair Middleton from Rothesay, Scotland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Gemma Collins

In her episode, TOWIE star and 'Essex royalty' Gemma Collins will meet a family member that she didn't even know existed...

GemmaCollagen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Rose Ayling-Ellis

Actress, model, disability rights campaigner and Strictly star Rose Alying-Ellis will discover a story from within the Birmingham branches of her family tree.

Meena, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Olly Murs

Popstar Olly Murs will follow the story of a circus performing ancestor overseas to Riga, Latvia.

CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.

In the meantime...

While we eagerly await the new discoveries unearthed in Series 21, why not dive back into the discoveries made last season?

We've documented them on the Findmypast blog - and even used our family history records and historical newspapers to elaborate on the stories mentioned on the show.

Header image credits:

Christopher William Adach from London, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Carfax2, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.