Chase star’s ‘remarkable’ family history
THE CHASE star Shaunwallace says a DNA trawl into his family history uncovered “something so unexpected... truly remarkable”.
The Sunday Express columnist said he was initially nervous about investigating the past but discovered “something you would never expect to happen to a black family at the time”.
Shaun, 61, joins fellow Chaser Anne Hegerty for the show DNA Journey, in which experts delve into the quizzers’ family history.
Anne has already revealed she is related to royalty, leading fellow Chase stars to dub her “Queen Anne”.
But Shaun said his family tree threw up its own revelations, and that the experience gave him a better understanding of where he got his ambition and drive.
Shaun, who preferred to keep the details secret before the show, promised the stories uncovered are fascinating.
He said: “There is something truly remarkable in relation to one part of my story – something you’d never expect to happen to a black family at the time – and it was born out of love.
“It shows there are people who, irrespective of social class or position, put altruism above anything else.”
He added: “In terms of my DNA I didn’t know what to expect – I was prepared for both the best and the worst. But it was a fantastic experience.
“There are traits I have clearly inherited. I can see where I get my ambition and drive from, and also, I suppose, my intellect.”
Anne, 63, and Shaun also travel to Jamaica to look into his family background.
He said: “This is the third show we’ve worked on outside of The Chase. It was great to have someone like Anne to share my story with, and vice versa.”