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Will Young reveals royal connection to King Edward I on Who Do You Think You Are?

Wednesday, 4 June 2025 12:22AM UTC

Singer Will Young discovered his descent from King Edward I during the latest episode of BBC’s genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are?, continuing a trend of celebrities uncovering surprising royal lineages on the show.

In a surprising revelation during the latest episode of the BBC's acclaimed genealogy programme Who Do You Think You Are?, singer Will Young discovered his unexpected lineage to King Edward I, who ruled England from 1272 to 1307. The episode, aired on 3 June, provided Young with a glimpse into his family history, including details about his grandfather, whom he never met as he passed away before Young's birth. Upon learning about his royal connection, Young quipped, “Being related to a king, will it change my behaviour? The short answer is yes. Yes, it will. What you are beholding is essentially a future despot,” showcasing his characteristic charm and humour even amidst such significant historical insights.

This is not an isolated incident, as the show has consistently unveiled connections between celebrities and historical figures. In a previous episode featuring comedian Josh Widdicombe, viewers were treated to his own royal lineage, which connected him to King Henry VIII and King Edward I. Widdicombe’s episode stirred excitement, prompting discussions on social media as audiences expressed their astonishment at the intertwining of history and celebrity. He remained unfazed by his discoveries, maintaining that they did not alter his personal identity or sense of humour, despite his newfound royal connections.

Such revelations are increasingly common on Who Do You Think You Are?, with experts noting that many individuals may unknowingly share ancestry with prominent historical figures. This phenomenon is further highlighted by instances like that of actor Danny Dyer, who famously traced his roots back to Edward III and William the Conqueror, reaffirming the notion that royal heritage may be more prevalent than one might think. The frequency with which celebrities uncover noble connections has led to extensive discussions around the genealogical intricacies and the accessibility of tracing ancestry.

Overall, the fascination surrounding royal lineage and heritage continues to captivate audiences, as evidenced by Young's heartfelt and humorous reflection on his newfound identity. Who Do You Think You Are? remains a popular platform for exploring these connections, allowing viewers to engage with history in a personal and relatable manner, while emphasising the surprising commonalities that exist within the vast tapestry of ancestral lines.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/culture/bbc-will-young-king-edward-b2763116.html - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/20211013123836/who-do-you-think-you-are-viewers-gobsmacked-royal-discovery-first-episode/ - In the premiere of 'Who Do You Think You Are?' on 12 October 2021, comedian Josh Widdicombe uncovered his royal lineage, revealing connections to King Henry VIII, King Edward I, and King Philip of France. This discovery left viewers astounded, with many expressing their amazement on social media. The episode also highlighted Widdicombe's ancestral ties to significant historical figures, sparking widespread discussion and interest in the show's exploration of celebrity family histories.
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/19641357.josh-widdicombe-related-king-henry-viii-think-reveals/ - In the 12 October 2021 episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are?', comedian Josh Widdicombe delved into his ancestry, discovering connections to King Henry VIII and King Edward I. The show also revealed that Widdicombe's 10-times great-grandfather served as an adviser to King Charles I. Despite these revelations, Widdicombe expressed that the findings hadn't changed his perspective on himself, maintaining his usual demeanor and sense of humor.
https://virginradio.co.uk/tv-film/35287/josh-widdicombe-finds-out-hes-related-to-king-henry-viii-on-who-do-you-think-you-are - In the 12 October 2021 episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are?', comedian Josh Widdicombe was astonished to discover his ancestral ties to King Henry VIII and King Edward I. The show also highlighted that Widdicombe's 10-times great-grandfather was an adviser to King Charles I. Despite these revelations, Widdicombe humorously remarked that the findings hadn't changed his behavior, maintaining his usual comedic persona.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59041055 - An article from 1 November 2021 discusses how many people are unknowingly related to royalty. It highlights instances from the TV show 'Who Do You Think You Are?' where celebrities like Josh Widdicombe and Danny Dyer discovered their royal ancestry. Experts suggest that, given the extensive number of descendants over generations, it's more common than expected for individuals to find royal connections in their family trees.
https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/why-danny-dyers-right-royal-who-do-you-think-you-are-is-the-best-one-ever/ - An article from 2016 discusses Danny Dyer's appearance on 'Who Do You Think You Are?', where he discovered his royal lineage, including connections to Thomas Cromwell, Edward III, William the Conqueror, and Henry III. The piece highlights the significance of these findings and reflects on the impact of such revelations on the celebrities involved.
https://www.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/WhoDoYouThinkYouAre - A page on TV Tropes discussing the 'Who Do You Think You Are?' series, noting that a surprisingly high number of celebrities turn out to have royal ancestry. Examples include Ryan Tubridy being descended from Edward III, Sir Matthew Pinsent from God, Alexander Armstrong from William the Conqueror, and Danny Dyer from Edward III. The page also mentions that the show has featured 100 episodes over 10 years.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative is fresh, with no prior reports found. The episode aired on 3 June 2025, and no earlier versions of this content exist. The report is based on a recent broadcast, ensuring high freshness. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified.

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: The direct quote from Will Young, “Being related to a king, will it change my behaviour? The short answer is yes. Yes, it will. What you are beholding is essentially a future despot,” appears to be original, with no earlier matches found.

Source reliability

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative originates from The Independent, a reputable UK news outlet, enhancing its reliability.

Plausability check

Score: 10

Notes: The claim that Will Young discovered his lineage to King Edward I on 'Who Do You Think You Are?' is plausible and aligns with the show's format of revealing celebrity ancestry. No supporting details from other reputable outlets were found, but this absence does not significantly impact the plausibility.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is fresh, with no prior reports found. The direct quote from Will Young appears original. The source is reputable, and the claim is plausible. No supporting details from other reputable outlets were found, but this absence does not significantly impact the overall assessment.

Will Young
Who Do You Think You Are?
Royal ancestry
Genealogy
BBC