Josh Widdicombe finds out he is related to HENRY VIII in new series of Who Do You Think You Are?
Josh Widdicombe finds out he is related to HENRY VIII in shock discovery in the new series of Who Do You Think You Are?
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Josh Widdicombe has been left stunned after finding out he is related to Henry VIII in the new series of Who Do You Think You Are?
The comedian, 38, discovered he is an ancestor of the Tudor royal, famed for his six wives, in an upcoming episode of the BBC genealogy show, which begins airing on October 12.
Josh said of the revelation: ‘To say it’s exceeded my expectations is the understatement of a lifetime. I was just expecting a couple of farmers. It’s proper blue blood, isn’t it?’
Josh’s connection to the infamous royal is through 13x great-grandmother Lady Katherine Knollys as there is evidence to suggest she is the lovechild of Henry’s relationship with Anne Boleyn’s sister Mary.
Lineage: Josh Widdicombe has been left stunned after finding out he is related to Henry VIII in the new series of Who Do You Think You Are?
Henry VIII ruled from 1509-1547. He was married six times to Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr.
The bloodthirsty royal famously ordered the beheading of second wife Anne and fifth wife Catherine Howard – and initiated the English Reformation, separating the Church of England from papal authority.
His last surviving child became Queen Elizabeth I and the last monarch of the House of Tudor.
The Last Leg star Josh went on to discover Edward I, who was King of England from 1272 to 1307, is his 23x great-grandfather.
Not only is he related to the English upper classes, he also unearthed that his 24x great-grandfather is the French King Phillip III.
Distant: His connection to the infamous royal is through 13x great-grandmother Lady Katherine Knollys as there is evidence to suggest that she is the lovechild of Henry’s relationship with Anne Boleyn’s sister Mary
Josh said of the revelation: ‘To say it’s exceeded my expectations is the understatement of a lifetime. I was just expecting a couple of farmers. It’s proper blue blood, isn’t it?’ (pictured last month)
Another aristocrat he finds he is related to is Henry Rich, the first Earl of Holland and a trusted adviser to King Charles I.
Henry’s role was to accompany the royal to the toilet, and was labelled ‘the groom of the stool.’
Prof Tracy Borman insisted that this role was very exclusive saying: ‘It’s the most sought-after role in the king’s court. In those days it’s all about getting ahead as well as getting to be with the king.’
Family tree: The Last Leg star went onto discover that Edward I (pictured), who was King of England from 1272 to 1307, is his 23x great-grandfather
Overseas: Not only is he related to the English upper classes, he also discovered that his 24x great-grandfather is the French King Phillip III (pictured)
His life came to an end when he was eventually executed for high treason ordered by parliamentarian Oliver Cromwell after the English Civil War.
The Football Factory actor Danny discovered in 2015 he was a distant relative to Edward III and William the Conquerer.
MailOnline has contacted the BBC’s representatives for further comment.
Also starring in this year’s series is Dame Judi Dench, 86, Pixie Lott, 30, Alex Jones, 36, Ed Balls, 45, Joe Sugg, 30, and Joe Lycett, 33.
Relatives: Another aristocrat he find he is related to is Henry Rich, the first Earl of Holland (pictured) and a trusted adviser to King Charles I. Henry’s role was to accompany the royal to the toilet, and was labelled ‘the groom of the stool’
Star-studded: Also starring in this year’s series is Dame Judi Dench, 86, Pixie Lott, 30, Alex Jones, 36, Ed Balls, 45, Joe Sugg, 30, and Joe Lycett, 33