Ant & Dec to meet relatives they never knew they had in new ITV show

Ant and Dec
(Image credit: Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

And one of them is related to royalty!

Ant and Dec will explore their family histories using their own DNA in a new ITV show – and they will meet relatives they never knew they had and discover one of them is descended from royalty!

In Ant & Dec’s DNA Journey, the pair will “embark on a surprisingly emotional journey of discovery” as they trace their ancestry.

With the help of expert genealogists and historians, the boys will travel to Ireland and America as they delve into their past.

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And, ITV teases that they will even “meet relatives they had no clue existed, unveiling some truly shocking revelations that only their DNA could unlock”.

They will discover that one of them has a great grandfather who is a celebrated war hero, while one of them will discover they are descended from royalty!

Ant said: “I’m a bit of a geek when it comes to historical events, so to get the chance to research our family history using our DNA was too good an opportunity to pass up.

“What we find out is mind-blowing and nothing either of us could ever have imagined. It’s something that will stay with us both forever."

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Dec added: “A huge part of this was to find out my heritage, especially on my dad’s side.  I always thought I knew a fair bit about where I came from but it turns out I was wrong!

"Whilst it was incredible to find out about the past, what was hugely overwhelming was to meet relatives neither of us knew we had.  It was a truly amazing experience."

Siobhan Greene, who commissioned the show, said: “This documentary captured Ant and Dec at an intersection in their lives.  I feel sure the ITV viewers will be on the edge of their seats watching twists and turns of their DNA journey unfold, and their honesty and openness, will leave a lasting heart print.”

It’s not yet been revealed when Ant & Dec’s DNA Journey will be screened on ITV.

Main image of Ant and Dec: Barcroft Media via Getty Images

David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.

Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 

David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.

Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!