Who Do You Think You Are?
mon 20 Aug, 9pm (Scot, 10.45pm) BBC1 Factual
Stars featured in Who Do You Think You Are? have uncovered some shocking truths in their family trees and, in this week’s final episode, Paralympian Jonnie Peacock is no different when he finds out his great-great-grandfather died from anthrax. He also learns who he has to thank for his sporting success…
As a gold medal-winning Paralympian, Jonnie Peacock is thrilled to find that sport is in his DNA when he takes part in this week’s Who Do You Think You Are?
The former Strictly star, who lost his lower right leg to meningitis, looks into the life of his maternal grandfather Johnnie Roberts, who was a talented amateur footballer in the 1950s and 1960s.
‘He scored so many goals and broke records, so he definitely passed down a few good genes,’ says Jonnie.
The athlete is shocked to learn, however, that his grandfather was scouted by Leeds United, but that his father Edward encouraged him to become a painter and decorator instead.
‘It was sad Johnnie never got a proper opportunity,’ he says. ‘But several of Edward’s siblings died because they didn’t have enough food and Edward never wanted his children to be in that situation.’
Independent
Tragedy is also unearthed as Jonnie finds that Edward’s father, Isaac, was a Liverpool docker who died of anthrax poisoning in 1928, possibly contracted from a cargo of animal bones and blood he’d handled.
Meanwhile, on his paternal side, Jonnie also investigates his fourtimes great-grandmother Louisa Voss, who had four illegitimate children and bravely took one of their fathers to court to get maintenance and accused another of assault.
‘I got emotional,’ says Jonnie. ‘I broke down learning about her.’