Who Do You Think You Are series 22 cast: Who is taking part in the BBC history show?

Eight celebrities delve into their family history to discover secrets, successes and sorrow as Who Do You Think You Are? returns to our screens.The Bafta Award-winning show is back for its 22nd series to dig up the past of a Hollywood star, pop icon and respected journalist, among others.Simon Young, BBC head of history, said: “The stellar line-up this year is a real treat for our audiences.

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addToArray({"pos": "inread-hb-ros-inews"}); }“But so is the history, from the shock of a royal ancestor to epic stories of survival.“And that’s why this series endures because it hints at the amazing family micro-histories that make all of us who we are.”The celebrities uncover revelations about their families’ heritage in the BBC One genealogy show.

Spanning almost 800 years of history, the stars learn of remarkable stories from tragic romances and early Hollywood glamour to harrowing revelations of war and slavery, taking viewers across the UK and around the world, including Jamaica, Morocco, India, Poland, Germany, Ireland, the USA and France in the quest for answers.if(window.adverts) { window.

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adverts.addToArray({"pos": "mpu_tablet_l1"}); }Who Do You Think You Are? is back with eight new famous faces hoping to find out about their family’s past (Photo: BBC/Wall to Wall)Who is taking part in series 22 of Who Do You Think You Are? Andrew GarfieldActor Andrew Garfield was the first to trace his family history (Photo: BBC/Wall to Wall /Stephen Perry)Andrew Garfield was the focus of the first episode of the new series, in which he learnt more about the fate of his family, who came from Kielce in Poland and his links to Władysław Szpilman, the subject of the 2002 film The Pianist.The British-American actor, 41, was Oscar-nominated for his portrayals of Desmond Doss in the film Hacksaw Ridge and Jonathan Larson in Tick, Tick.

..Boom!He has also starred in The Social Network, Silence, Breathe, The Eyes of Tammy Faye and The Amazing Spider-Man movies.

He won a Tony Award for his portrayal of Prior Walter in the Broadway version of Angels in America.Diane MorganActress and comedian Diane Morgan delves into her past (Photo: Stephen Perry/BBC/Wall to Wall)Diane Morgan will step away from her role as clueless historian Philomena Cunk to learn from the experts and discover a poignant love story and her ancestor’s brave fight for the rights of her illegitimate children.The actress, comedian and writer, 49, is best known for her role as Philomena Cunk on Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe and subsequent spin-offs Cunk on Britain, Cunk on Earth and Cunk on Life.

She has also appeared in Mount Pleasant, Live at the Electric, Motherland, Frayed, After Life and Mandy.if(window.adverts) { window.

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adverts.addToArray({"pos": "mpu_tablet_l2"}); }Mishal HusainMishal Husain (Photo: Stephen Perry/ BBC/Wall to Wall )Mishal Husain will learn about an ancestor who was a personal physician to a Maharaja and travels to the East Coast of the USA on her quest to uncover her past.The journalist and broadcaster, 52, began her career at Bloomberg television in 1996 as a producer and presenter before moving to the BBC, where she presented business news on BBC World News and the BBC News Channel before becoming the Washington correspondent.

She began presenting BBC Radio 4’s Today programme in 2013 and has also been a relief presenter for BBC News at Six and BBC News at Ten.In December last year, she left the BBC to join Bloomberg News, where she is editor-at-large of its Weekend Edition.Ross KempRoss Kemp ends up in Casablanca trying to solve a family mystery (Photo: Stephen Perry/BBC / Wall to Wall )Ross Kemp ends up in Casablanca trying to solve a family mystery and, along the way, finds out his 4x great-grandfather was a drummer boy during the Napoleonic wars.

The actor and documentary maker is best known for his role as Grant Mitchell in the BBC soap opera Eastenders. He has also starred in Emmerdale, Without Motive, Ultimate Force and Blindspot.As a documentary maker, he has presented Ross Kemp in Afghanistan, Ross Kemp; Extreme World, and won a Bafta Award for the series Ross Kemp on Gangs.

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addToArray({"pos": "mpu_tablet_l3"}); }He is also the host of the BBC quiz show Bridge of Lies.Aisling BeaAisling Bea will learn how her family has been shaped by some of the most dramatic moments in Irish history (Photo: Justin Evans/BBC /Wall to Wall)Aisling Bea will find how her family has been shaped by some of the most dramatic moments in Irish history, with a tale of violent tragedy, female resilience and a passion for Irish independence.The comedian and actress, 41, wrote and starred in the Channel 4 comedy series This Way Up, played Sally in Cardinal Burns, Charlie in Trollied and Megan in Avoidance.

She became only the second woman to win the So You Think You’re Funny award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2012 and is a regular on QI and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.Will YoungWill Young uncovers his grandfather’s extraordinary experience as a Bomber Command pilot in World War Two (Photo: Stephen Perry/BBC / Wall to Wall )Will Young will learn about his grandfather’s experience as a Bomber Command pilot in World War Two and being captured as a prisoner of war in Germany.And he will dive back further in time to find both villains and royalty in his family tree.

The singer, songwriter and actor, 46, rose to fame by winning the first series of ITV’s Pop Idol in 2002.if(window.adverts) { window.

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adverts.addToArray({"pos": "mpu_tablet_l4"}); }He has had four number ones, including “Leave Right Now” and “Anything is Possible/Evergreen”, won two Brit Awards and sold more than eight million albums worldwide.As an actor, he has appeared in the 2013 London revival of the musical Cabaret, the film Mrs Henderson Presents and the television series Bedlam.

Fred SirieixFred Sirieix returns to his native France for the show (Photo: Stephen Perry/BBC/Wall to Wall)Fred Sirieix will set sail to France to explore his family roots, discovering a wartime romance worthy of First Dates and an unexpected connection to wine-making.The French maître d’hôtel and television presenter, 53, is best known for hosting Channel 4 series First Dates and BBC Two’s Million Pound Menu.Before his media career, he was the general manager of Michelin-starred restaurant Galvin at Windows at the London Hilton.

He has appeared in several series of the travel show Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip with chefs Gordon Ramsay and Gino D’Acampo.Layton WilliamsLayton Williams investigates his London roots (Photo: Stephen Perry/BBC/Wall to Wall)Layton Williams will investigate his London roots, revealing a surprising musical connection before travelling to Jamaica to uncover some distressing family history.if(window.

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adverts) { window.adverts.addToArray({"pos": "mpu_tablet_l5"}); }The actor, 30, first found fame as a child star in the West End show Billy Elliott the Musical.

He won a Laurence Olivier Award for his portrayal of Iceberg in the musical Titanique and played the lead role in the musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.He has also starred on television in Beautiful People and Bad Education.When does Who Do You Think You Are air on the BBC? Series 22 of Who Do You Think You Are? began airing on Tuesday, 22 April, with the first episode focused on actor Andrew Garfield.

The remaining seven episodes will be shown weekly on BBC One on Tuesday evenings from 9pm.All episodes will also be available to stream on the BBC iPlayer after they have been broadcast..