Tonight sees the return of Who Do You Think You Are as it enters its 21st year on our screens, with Hollywood star Andrew Garfield kicking off the new series. However, fans should have some tissues at the ready as it’s set to be an emotional one – with Andrew’s roots taking him back to Poland ahead of the Second World War.
On a lighter note, Brummie comedian Joe Lycett is exploring a number of different Birminghams – those that can be found across North American. From Birmingham’s namesakes in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to those in Alabama and Iowa, Joe looks into just how different they are to his own home city in Sky Max’s new series.
With plenty of drama to come from the soaps and a nature-lover’s dream on 5, here are the top telly picks for today from Emma Bullimore – who is filling in for Sara Baalla.
Hollywood actor and former Spiderman Andrew Garfield admits he’s “an easy cry”, which makes him the perfect celeb to go ancestry hunting. Even though we’re on series 22, the stories on WDYTYA remain just as startling as ever, and it’s a bruising experience for the movie star to trace his Jewish line back to Poland in the years leading up to WW2.
Visiting the city of Kielce, Andrew learns about his great granddad Ludwig Garfinkel (the family later changed their surname). He hears details of the horrendous persecution Ludwig and his fellow Jews faced, and the difficult decisions he made to protect his family and escape Poland. But while Ludwig found a way out, other ancestors weren’t so lucky, and Andrew is moved by a sobering trip to the Treblinka concentration camp, where so many horrors of the Holocaust were carried out.
While it’s a chilling and dark moment, there’s also time to explore a lighter chapter of Garfield history. Travelling to Los Angeles, where he was born, Andrew researches his great great uncle Harry, the first of his ancestors to move to the US. He’s excited to learn that Harry was a celebrated tailor with his own store in Beverley Hills – a force of fashion in the golden age of Hollywood. There’s also the chance to meet some long-lost relatives and share memories, including the story of a strong woman who converted all her money into diamonds before emigrating, carrying them in her stockings from Poland to LA.
Flying the flag for his beloved home city, Brummie comedian Joe Lycett is flying to North America to visit 18 other Birminghams. His mission is to ask representatives of each town to sign a Friendship Treaty, given to him by the Lord Mayor of UK Brum, and to share his love of local treasures Alison Hammond and Cadbury Curly Wurlies.
First stop is Birmingham, New Jersey, which is a far cry from England’s vibrant, buzzing second city. Despite a population of only 32 people and a disused chemical plant at its heart, Joe is determined to make friends, and wanders into a gun shop where he tries not to look terrified. Before he can pause for breath, he finds himself at the shooting range… Other highlights include Joe trying to teach America to say “Alright bab!” in a Brummie accent, and dressing up with some historical re-enactment fans in Birmingham, Pennsylvania.
Did you know that Longleat was the first safari park to ever open outside of Africa? The famous Wiltshire tourist attraction is still welcoming excited families 60 years later, and the TV cameras are back for another behind the scenes peek. As well as following the resident gorillas, sloths and lions, there’s a chance to get to know the humans keeping the place running.
Dave is a tour bus driver, who risks his windscreen wipers four times a day when he takes visitors through the Monkey Drive-Through. Dave is part of the furniture at Longleat, but a health scare is about to take him away from the job he loves so much. Meanwhile, young zoo keeper Ben has spent years waiting for his dream opportunity to work with animals and now he’s finally got the gig. He reveals he spends a surprising amount of his day chopping veggies for feeding time!
Mack sends Billy into a spin when he suggests Dawn might be having an affair. Jumping to conclusions, Billy picks a fight with Ross, leaving Clemmie devastated.
Victoria presses on with her secret plan to invite John’s friends to the stag do. But she’s shocked when his old mate Connor reveals Aidan isn’t dead – he’s actually in hospital, in a coma. Victoria goes to visit Aidan. Cain and Kim team up to call a truce between Caleb and Joe.
Jean provides a shoulder for Nigel to cry on, as she visits to discuss his diagnosis. Meanwhile, Phil storms off to see Linda, who tells him to be strong for his friend, however challenging the circumstances. Returning to Nigel’s house to apologise, Phil is horrified to find a goodbye letter.
Teddy tells Nicola that construction will begin this week. She asks Ravi for help. Kojo announces he wants to move out, and picks up a trial shift at The Arches.
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