Entertainment

Clare Balding cooks up fascinating family tree

The presenter discovered she was descended from a baking dynasty.
The presenter discovered she was descended from a baking dynasty. The presenter discovered she was descended from a baking dynasty.

Sports presenter Clare Balding rose to the occasion for Who Do You Think You Are? by uncovering a tale of baking royalty in her family.

The popular TV star heard that her ancestors included aristocracy, a gay relative at a time when homosexuality was illegal, and a success story in New York where her family owned The Royal Baking Powder Company.

Clare Balding
Clare Balding (Stephen Perry/BBC/Wall to Wall Media Ltd/Stephen Perry)
Clare Balding researched her ancestors (BBC)

Viewers tweeted how much they had enjoyed learning about her family tree.

One wrote: “Loved wdytya tonight, your enthusiasm is infectious, really enjoyed your family history.”

Another tweeted: “Wow. What an amazing family history, British aristocracy to American baking powder, fascinating story of your ancestors.”

Someone else joked: “Clare Balding queen of New York City #WhoDoYouThinkYouAre riveting!!!”

The baking powder discovery was a particular hit with fans of the programme.

One tweeted: “Loved the New York stories. If baking powder ancestor had been a Brit, he’d have been knighted … “Arise, Sir …””

Another asked: “Really enjoyed the programme Clare. Are you going to take up baking now?”

Next week’s episode of the BBC One genealogy show features comedian and actor Adil Ray.