Presenter’s shock over ‘horrific’ TV discovery
ASHOCK lay in store for Sutton Coldfield television presenter Emma Willis as she made a horrifying discovery about one of her ancestors.
The Big Brother and Voice presenter, 41, was tearful when she found out that a relative had stabbed and tortured two men.
During an episode of BBC TV’s Who Do You Think You Are?, which airs tonight (August 3), Emma was told the awful truth that her five-times-great great grandfather Richard Fowler tried to kill a blacksmith and his son in Ireland.
Protestant Richard broke into the home of Catholic Michael Egan and his son Thomas, in Dunlavin, Co Wicklow in 1797.
He repeatedly stabbed them both with a knife, then tortured them for information.
He believed the pair were making weapons for a group of Catholics called the United Irishmen, who were opposed to British rule.
They were spared only because a neighbour heard their screams and chased Richard and his two accomplices away. Speaking on the show, shocked Emma said: “That’s horrific. How can you defend doing that to somebody?” On the verge of tears, she continued: “That was exactly what I didn’t want to find out.”
A report published by Ireland’s The Press around the time of the attack described the crime.
“They were knocked down and received many desperate stabs,” reported the newspaper.
“Naked and bleeding as they were, they were then conveyed to the guardhouse of Dunlavan.
“There, on daring to complain of such treatment, they were again knocked down and beaten in a most unmerciful manner.”
Emma was born in Birmingham, and went to John Willmott School in Sutton Coldfield.
She began modelling at the age of 17 and worked for a range of magazines, retailers and companies including Marie Claire, Elle, Vogue, GAP and Chanel.
Her television break came after she presented on MTV, and found herself soon guest hosting shows such as CD:UK, This Morning and Loose Women.