Daniel Radcliffe

Actor Daniel Radcliffe made his screen debut in the BBC adaptation of David Copperfield before rocketing to fame as Harry Potter in the film franchise.

Radcliffe has also trodden the boards in London’s West End and Broadway in New York, starring in Equus and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

The actor’s family history will take him to the frontlines of the First World War, as he reads a stash of heart-warming letters written by his great-great uncle.

Radcliffe  will also learn of the traumatic loss of his great-grandfather‘s jewellery business which had heartbreaking consequences.

 

Naomie Harris

Starting out as a child actor, Naomie Harris first demonstrated her acting skills in the television series Simon and the Witch and had her first breakout film role in 28 Days Later, before playing Tia Dalma in Pirates of the Caribbean.

The actor has recently appeared in Moonlight and will reprise her role as Moneypenny in the upcoming Bond 25 alongside Daniel Craig.

Harris will head to Kingston to uncover her ancestry, and hear a story of family poverty in Jamaica's capital. She will also learn about her ancestor's involvement in the exploitation of individuals identified as so-called "liberated Africans."

 

Kate Winslet

Best known for her breakout role in Titanic, Kate Winslet received critical acclaim for her performances in dramas including her portrayal of Hanna Schmitz in The Reader and Joanna Hoffman in the biopic Steve Jobs.

Winslet began her acting career in the UK at the age of eight in a 1980s TV advert for Sugar Puffs and later landed roles in dramas Casualty and Get Back, leading to her first film role in 2004 on Peter Jackson's Heavenly Creatures.

The award-winning actor will explore her Swedish lineage and learn of her drummer-boy relative and the hardships her three times great grandfather faced feeding his family in the midst of poverty.

 

Sharon Osbourne

Music mogul Sharon Osbourne first garnered media attention for managing her rock star husband Ozzy Osbourne, helping to launch the musician's solo career after his departure from Black Sabbath.

The Osbourne family was propelled to stardom in the MTV reality series The Osbournes in 2002.

Sharon Osbourne became a prominent face on talent shows including The X Factor and America's Got Talent.

The talent show judge is now a regular co-host on chat show The Talk.

Osbourne will track her roots in the US and uncover the struggles her great-great grandparents endured as they pursued their American Dream.

 

Jack and Michael Whitehall

Starting out on the comedy circuit, actor and presenter Jack Whitehall has stormed the small-screen securing lead roles in comedies including Fresh Meat, Bad Education and Bounty Hunters, with regular appearances on A League of Their Own.

His father Michael has represented some of the UK’s greatest talent including Dame Judi Dench, and has starred alongside his son on Backchat with Jack Whitehall and his Dad and Netflix's Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father.

Their latest adventure sees father and son uncover a family tragedy and the story of a Welsh ancestor who opposed the Chartist campaign for voting rights.

 

Mark Wright

Former semi-professional footballer Mark Wright made his first television appearance on The Only Way Is Essex in 2010.

Since his departure from the series, he’s appeared on hit shows including I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! And Soccer Aid.

The reality star has since turned to presenting, working on shows including Take Me Out: The Gossip alongside Laura Jackson, Mark Wright's Hollywood Nights, Party Wright Around The World and Channel 5's The Bachelor.

Wright will learn about his ancestors who endured the Spanish Inquisition in the 17th-century.

 

Katherine Ryan

Canadian television presenter and stand-up comic Katherine Ryan has made frequent appearances on shows including 8 Out of 10 Cats, Live at the Apollo, Safeword and Taskmaster.

She also has her own Netflix special, Katherine Ryan: In Trouble.

The stand-up comic is a regular judge on Roast Battle and has recently hosted Your Face or Mine? with Jimmy Carr.

Ryan will unravel her complex ancestry, encountering descendants from all walks of life, including cod traders, a poet and a preacher.

 

Paul Merton

Best known as long-standing team captain on Have I Got News for You, writer and comedian Paul Merton started his career on the stage in 1982 at Soho's Comedy Store.

Merton has also presented several factual series including Birth of Hollywood, Paul Merton's Adventures and travel shows exploring Europe, India and China.

Merton will leave political satire to investigate his maternal grandfather, a key figure in the fight for Irish independence in the 1920s, who mysteriously disappeared at sea.

 

The 16th series of WDYTYA starts on Monday 22nd July on BBC One at 9pm