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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: Lydart on Monday 22 October 07 17:27 BST (UK)

Title: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Lydart on Monday 22 October 07 17:27 BST (UK)
Reading the Pinsent thread, someone suggested Hyacinth Bucket as a possible candidate ... (or rather the actress, Patricai Routledge).  Hyacinth decended from ag. lab's ... I like it !

But seriously, I'd like to start a theoretical list of possible candidates for the Beeb for the next series, sort of fantasy WDYTYA team ?

How about David Bellamy, the botanist ... see if he comes from ag.lab's ?

Or Fanny Craddock, the 1950's TV cook ?  Was she as aristocratic as she seemed to make out ? 

Suggestions, please ...
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: avm228 on Monday 22 October 07 17:39 BST (UK)
I'd like to see Mark Ramprakash and find out why his originally-Indian family on his father's side ended up in Guyana. And he seems to be such a lovely guy - I'm sure he'd be a great subject.

Anna :)
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: cathaldus on Monday 22 October 07 19:31 BST (UK)
What about Fred Dibnah.  Alternatively why can't we have a programme about ordinary people who of themselves may well have a fascinating history.  I must admit I am somewhat "fed up" with the ongoing "cult of celebrity"  The programme could also tend to be more educational from a genealogical point of view, i.e. pointing people in the right direction in their own searching.  Yes a bit more democracy please!!
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: oldtimer on Monday 22 October 07 19:34 BST (UK)
What about Fred Dibnah.

Don't think they do deceased people  :-\ :-\
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: toni* on Monday 22 October 07 20:11 BST (UK)
Patsy Palmer is one of nexts years lot, sombody on here (sorry i forgot who) saw her filimng at LMA the other week.

I think they should have Henry Allingham a WW1 vetran and Britains oldest man, (111 years old) resident of Eastbourne. He is the last surviving member of the British Air Services and the last founder member of the Royal Air Force.  He is the last known survivor of the Battle of Jutland and has already been awarded the Gold Medal of St Omer and the Legion of Honour
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: cathaldus on Monday 22 October 07 21:32 BST (UK)
Well Old Timer,  I am surprised that you swallowed the hook!!  My answer to you is simple - why not??  Most of the people I research are dead,  doesn't make them any the less interesting!
I DO LIKE THE IDEA OF THE OLDEST MAN,  think that would be wonderful!
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: cms on Monday 22 October 07 22:12 BST (UK)
...but it would have to be called Who Did You Think You Were? !!


John Lennon please.


C
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: maidmarianoops on Tuesday 23 October 07 01:21 BST (UK)
the oldest man gets my vote

sylvia
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 23 October 07 02:48 BST (UK)
If the requirement is that the people should be living celebs, some initial thoughts from an Aussie point of view (and who are not necessarily people I like but I think may be interesting) are:

Billy Connolly
Michael Parkinson
Helen Mirren
Dame Judy Dench
Tony Robinson

I would also like to see a non celeb WDYTYA but just don't think it will pull in the viewers.
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: jillruss on Tuesday 23 October 07 09:52 BST (UK)
I agree with Ruskie - they're not going to do a programme on you or me or the chap down the road, because the vast majority of viewers just wouldn't be interested. I know most of us RCers would watch even if they were looking into the ancestry of next door's cat, but I don't think that would be enough for the viewing figures somehow!   ::)

I think Tony Robinson would be a good subject - he has the enthusiasm to make it an enjoyable story - a bit in the mould of Griff Rhys Jones.

I don't really mind who they do next - as long as they're interesting. How about Dawn French and Lenny Henry? They've done Ian Hislop (really enjoyed that one) so how about Paul Merton? The Attenbroughs? John Humphries?

Jill
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: maffie on Tuesday 23 October 07 13:04 BST (UK)
My impression of this series has been about people with a specific idea of ' who they are', and it's been disproved ie John Hurt thinking he was Irish.

So how about taking an Australian who thinks they are descended from convicts and see if that could be disproved.  Barry Humphries, Kylie or Rolf

Anyway, back to my list:-

Derek Griffiths
Chris Tarrant
Alexander Armstrong (Pimms o'clock)
A generic celebrity chef
Sean Bean

Rgds
Matt

Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: samesizedfeet on Tuesday 23 October 07 13:33 BST (UK)
I'd heard it was Patsy Kensit filming at the LMA

Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: jillruss on Tuesday 23 October 07 14:13 BST (UK)
Sorry but who's Derek Griffiths?

Blimey - Patsy Palmer and Patsy Kensit - who next: Jordan!!?

I seem to remember reading that Patsy Kensit comes from an East End gangster family, so I would have thought she'd want to steer clear. Amazing what some people will do for a bit of publicity!!

Jill
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: samesizedfeet on Tuesday 23 October 07 14:25 BST (UK)
Is Derek Griffiths the man that used to sing and dance on the kids programme PlayAway?

he may have been on Playschool too

or am I completely off track?
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 23 October 07 14:26 BST (UK)
Someone said they saw Patsy Palmer being filmed for WDYTYA.

I suppose it may be that many major celebs who are asked if they will particpate, decline .... so then they need to go to second choices etc ...

Some more:

Joanna Lumley
Tony Blair
Michael Aspel
Cilla Black

PS. I think I read somewhere that Kylie has already had hers 'done'.
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: maffie on Tuesday 23 October 07 14:27 BST (UK)
From Wikipedia about Derek Griffiths.

Various Look and Read stories as Singer, including:
"Cloud Burst" (1974) as Singer
"Heads And Tails" (1975) as Voice-Over and SInger
"The King's Dragon" (1977) as Singer
"Sky Hunter" (1978) as Singer
"The Boy From Space (1980) as Singer.
"Dark Towers" (1981) as Singer
"Fair Ground!" (1983) as Singer
"Geordie Racer" (1988) as Singer
"Through The Dragon's Eye" (1989) as Singer
SuperTed (1983) as Voice of SuperTed
A series about a poor teddy bear who was broken during manufacture and thrown into a cold, dark store room. Upon being saved by a spotty alien who takes him to his little cloud, he becomes a superhero. He and his spotty friend fight the evil team of Skeleton, Bulk and Texas Pete.

Bod (1975) as Theme Music Composer
Theme Music for each of the main 5 characters composed by Griffiths.

Cabbages and Kings (1972)
Historical sketch show for kids with Johnny Ball, Griffiths and Julie Stevens.

Play Away (1971)
Play School (1964)
Heads and Tails
Film Fun
Little Red Tractor
Classic children's tv shows which Griffiths presented.


One of most prolific childrens TV presenters in the 70's.  Also look at the IMDB website

Cheers
Matt
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Lydart on Tuesday 23 October 07 16:34 BST (UK)
Agree with Judi Dench ... and how about that guy whose name has gone  into the depths of my addled brain ... who was in the series about the older woman meeting her ex boy friend who had gone to the Korean war ... ahhhh .... its coming through .... wait for it .... Geoffrey Palmer ; and the programme was .... got it !  As Time Goes By ... good name for a genealogy programme in itself !
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Trees on Tuesday 23 October 07 17:03 BST (UK)
How about Karl Jenkins  wonder where he got his musical genes and possibly Jules Holland.
Trees
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Helen D on Tuesday 23 October 07 17:25 BST (UK)
It may have been my imagination, but I think Tony Robinson was done in the first series ???

Helen
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: oldtimer on Tuesday 23 October 07 17:30 BST (UK)
I would love to see Sean Bean's history  ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: nanny jan on Tuesday 23 October 07 17:39 BST (UK)
Or  just Sean Bean!   

Judy Dench's Quaker ancestry would be interesting I think.   Maureen Lipman would be fun.  Peter O'Toole........would they be able to find his birthplace?
Henry Cooper..........I've got London greengrocers in my tree too!

If they want a challenge they can look for my Francis and Isabella!


Nanny Jan
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: WHS1899 on Tuesday 23 October 07 19:16 BST (UK)
My daughters vote is for John Barrowman, who I believe was born in Scotland.
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Lydart on Tuesday 23 October 07 20:36 BST (UK)
I don't think they've done anyone yet who is obviously not of European origins ... I know they've done Moira Stewart and Colin Jackson ... but I mean someone like Yoko Ono ? 
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: acceber on Wednesday 24 October 07 00:35 BST (UK)
It may have been my imagination, but I think Tony Robinson was done in the first series ???

No, Tony Robinson hasn't been featured in any of the series so far, although he does do advertising for Ancestry.co.uk which is where you may have connected him to genealogy.

On the Tony R theme, I think Hugh Laurie or Rowan Atkinson would be good for WDYTYA to feature :)

acceber
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Ruskie on Wednesday 24 October 07 05:55 BST (UK)
Michael Palin and John Cleese ...

...or has MP been done? ...
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Lydart on Wednesday 24 October 07 07:43 BST (UK)
The 'put on hold' Boris Johnson one ought to be good when they decide to show it ...
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: stoney on Wednesday 24 October 07 17:28 BST (UK)
My list would include:

Michael Parkinson - are his roots entirely in Yorkshire?

Jasper Carrot - of course, under his real name!

Mike Harding - the Crumpsall kid - but what if his ancestors came from over the pennines (with Parky's lot) ?

....and how about Stella Rimmington - be a laugh if they found a connection with Mata Hari (spies....!)
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: toni* on Wednesday 24 October 07 18:46 BST (UK)

Helen Mirren
Dame Judy Dench
Tony Robinson

I would also like to see a non celeb WDYTYA but just don't think it will pull in the viewers.

It may have been my imagination, but I think Tony Robinson was done in the first series ???

I think Hugh Laurie or Rowan Atkinson would be good for WDYTYA to feature :)

acceber
Quote
i agreed with these

Someone said they saw Patsy Palmer being filmed for WDYTYA.

I suppose it may be that many major celebs who are asked if they will particpate, decline .... so then they need to go to second choices etc ...

Some more:

Joanna Lumley
Tony Blair
Cilla Black


but not these

Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: kooky on Wednesday 24 October 07 21:48 BST (UK)
Mike Harding could be interesting.
My ex oh's sister was a cub leader of the group that he was in. [Sorry that does not sound very grammatical]
Also I have sung with Mike Harding at folk clubs in the Prestwich area
Kooky
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: stoney on Wednesday 24 October 07 22:46 BST (UK)
Mike Harding could be interesting.
My ex oh's sister was a cub leader of the group that he was in. [Sorry that does not sound very grammatical]
Also I have sung with Mike Harding at folk clubs in the Prestwich area
Kooky

Hooray - someone who knows who Mike Harding is! Usually when I mention him people say "Mike who?"  I went to see him on one his tours many moons ago (when he was still into his one-man stand-up comic routine) - and nearly died laughing!

Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Lydart on Wednesday 24 October 07 23:47 BST (UK)
How about Nick Barrett ... the man who does some of the research for these programmes ?

Presumably he's done his own ... but it would be interesting to see how an expert did it, and to know his background ... and if another reseacher could find out more !
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: nanny jan on Wednesday 24 October 07 23:56 BST (UK)
Late night thought...........Dame Kiri te Kanawa.



Nanny Jan
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Lydart on Thursday 25 October 07 18:28 BST (UK)
She'd be good !   I'll love to hear about her Maori ancestors !
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: meles on Thursday 25 October 07 18:40 BST (UK)
That would be interesting - she was adopted. Have we had an adopted child to date?

meles
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: redkop on Thursday 25 October 07 18:53 BST (UK)

I would love to see Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE.

I saw him on Top Gear, and I could have listened to him all night.

Also, David Jason gets my vote.

Red  ;D

P.S.and, Steven Gerrard  :o ::) ;D
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: cms on Thursday 25 October 07 20:49 BST (UK)
David Jason's ancestry has been covered in Family History magazine, Sept 06.
I bought the magazine today in a museum shop for 50p. Now off to read it...
Caroline
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: acceber on Thursday 25 October 07 21:09 BST (UK)
That would be interesting - she was adopted. Have we had an adopted child to date?

We had Nicky Campbell on the one-off special, which was brilliant, so adoption is no boundary and it would be great to see some more adoptee's tracing either their biological or adoptive families.

acceber
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: toni* on Thursday 25 October 07 21:15 BST (UK)
That would be interesting - she was adopted. Have we had an adopted child to date?

We had Nicky Campbell on the one-off special, which was brilliant, so adoption is no boundary and it would be great to see some more adoptee's tracing either their biological or adoptive families.

acceber

was david dickinson ? he had a family inthe cahnnel islands he new nothing about but hes in contact with them regulary now
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: MEW53 on Thursday 25 October 07 21:24 BST (UK)
How about Shirley Bassey, could be an interesting one, wasn't she from Tiger Bay in Wales, just heard her singing on the TV.

Margaret

 ;)
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Lydart on Thursday 25 October 07 22:20 BST (UK)
Yes, Mr Cheap as Chips (DD) was adopted ... he was from ?Turkish stock ?  Gulbenkien ?  (Sp ?)
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: oldtimer on Friday 26 October 07 10:30 BST (UK)
If I remember correctly  :-\ he was from Armenian roots  ;)
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Lydart on Friday 26 October 07 11:52 BST (UK)
Same sort of very general area !!   ;)
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Nutty1966 on Friday 26 October 07 11:59 BST (UK)
I would also like to see the actor James Bolam, enjoy watching him in many things New Tricks and When the boat comes in, when I was a small child I hasten to add!! 


J
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Martin Briscoe on Friday 26 October 07 12:08 BST (UK)
Same sort of very general area !!   ;)

I would not say that to an Armenian after what the Turks did to them.

I wonder if they could see if there is anyone from the earlier programmes who has discovered enough after the first programme to do a follow up?

Martin Briscoe
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: oldtimer on Friday 26 October 07 12:47 BST (UK)
[
I wonder if they could see if there is anyone from the earlier programmes who has discovered enough after the first programme to do a follow up?

Martin Briscoe

What a brilliant idea Martin! See if they were really interested, or just a one-minute-wonder!!
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: bevbee on Friday 26 October 07 18:33 BST (UK)
Someone suggested Rolf, but he's already been done on the BBC Wales family history programme "Coming Home."

Paul Daniels and Patrick Mower's programmes in that series were particularly interesting.

 :)
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: ludovica on Monday 29 October 07 00:40 GMT (UK)
Hmm.

Patrick Moore
Michael Portillo
Bill Bailey
Dawn French
Joan Collins
Hugh Laurie
Michael Palin
Joanna Lumley
Ben Fogle
David Attenborough
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: downside on Wednesday 31 October 07 13:00 GMT (UK)
Quote
Alexander Armstrong (Pimms o'clock)

I suspect he is no longer a contender after last weeks episode of Armstrong & Miller in which they took the mickey out of WDYTYA.

Armstrong's character decided to take part in a fictitious episode of WDYTYA as he thought it would be a good career move.  He then discovered that his ancestors on his mother's side were either Whores or Brothel Keepers.

So he then looked at his fathers ancestors and discovered that one of them was pedophile.
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: ludovica on Wednesday 31 October 07 13:40 GMT (UK)
I dont think that would rule him out. Those people who appear on QI or Have I got News for You, (as he does) seem to be priority cases for WDYTYA producers
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: ankerdine on Sunday 04 November 07 13:27 GMT (UK)
Could we have David Couldhart PLEASE as there is a rumour we are related!!!!! and my son won't let it rest till it's proved!!!!
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: ankerdine on Sunday 04 November 07 13:41 GMT (UK)
Sorry, I am afraid I got it slightly wrong. My son says he would like to see the link with Bill Marshall King of the Tinkers proved first, not necessarily the possible link suggested earlier. I thought it would be the other way round myself.
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Jojosam on Monday 05 November 07 00:32 GMT (UK)
Please please please can they do the Janvin side of Robin Janvin and turn up an Irish connection or detour. I'd never heard of this bloke until an ancestor with the same family name proved to be a very solid brick wall and googling turned up his name. And I don't think he is a Rootschatter.  :o

There have been no chips taken out of my brick wall so my request is pure self-interest and desperation. Maybe the professionals will turn up something or some source that might be useful for us.  :-\

Jojosam
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Lynn H on Monday 05 November 07 08:00 GMT (UK)
I would like to see,

Sir Trevor McDonald.
Lenny Henry.
Jimi Mistry.
Gordon Ramsey. (only because i want to see if he can get through a show without the F word)

                                         Lynn.
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: stonechat on Tuesday 06 November 07 14:00 GMT (UK)
They have started doing them in Canada too
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 06 November 07 23:39 GMT (UK)
Oh, I didn't know that Trevor McDonald is a SIR! Can't keep up with these knighthoods  ;). Yes, he would be interesting!
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: toni* on Wednesday 07 November 07 08:52 GMT (UK)
Sir Mick Jagger Kieth Richards Bill Wyman Ronnie Wood Posthumously Brian Jones 
Ray Davies (from the Kinks)
David Bowie
Noel Gallagher or Liam or even Paul
Jarvis Cocker

Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Lydart on Wednesday 07 November 07 11:35 GMT (UK)
The writer Alan Bennett ?

But he's such a private man, that I strongly suspect he wouldn't entertain the idea.

However, what appears to be his very ordinariness could produce surprises ... it does for most of us !
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: toni* on Wednesday 07 November 07 11:37 GMT (UK)
J k Rowling
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: ludovica on Wednesday 07 November 07 11:39 GMT (UK)
Sir Mick Jagger Kieth Richards Bill Wyman Ronnie Wood Posthumously Brian Jones 
Ray Davies (from the Kinks)
David Bowie
Noel Gallagher or Liam or even Paul
Jarvis Cocker


I bet Natasha &Daniel Bedingfield would be interesting
Elton John (Dwight)
Roger Daltrey
Natalie Bassingthwaighte ( off neighbours)
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: toni* on Wednesday 07 November 07 11:40 GMT (UK)
me!

Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: Trees on Wednesday 07 November 07 18:24 GMT (UK)
Terry Pratchet wonder who would imerge from under that hat
Trees
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: BagpussBee on Tuesday 13 November 07 16:48 GMT (UK)
I would definately like to see

Michael Palin
Hugh Laurie

because they are both gorgeous chaps.... and, er... they'd probably have very interesting family histories of course..... ahem.


Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: stonechat on Wednesday 13 August 08 18:09 BST (UK)
Patsy Kensit on tonight - 9pm in case anyone forgot

Bob
Title: Re: Who shall it be in the next series of WDYTYA ?
Post by: toni* on Wednesday 13 August 08 18:14 BST (UK)
i bet it all goes quiet on here at 9pm!  ;D