Entertainment

Ant McPartlin holds back tears in trailer for DNA Journey series

The TV star and his long-standing partner Declan Donnelly will follow their bloodlines into the past.
The TV star and his long-standing partner Declan Donnelly will follow their bloodlines into the past. The TV star and his long-standing partner Declan Donnelly will follow their bloodlines into the past.

Ant McPartlin breaks down over his family’s hidden past in the teaser trailer for DNA Journey, his programme alongside best friend Declan Donnelly.

The duo are seen travelling across the country, joined by genealogists and historians as they follow their maternal and paternal bloodlines.

“Your great-grandfather is an absolute hero,” a researcher tells the TV star.

“You’re going to start me crying,” replies McPartlin as he tries to hold back tears.

In another clip Donnelly breaks down over their close friendship.

He says: “It’s not lost on us how lucky we are that we met each other. We get on so well. I’m getting emotional now. I don’t know if I am ready.”

He adds: “I have never cried so much on telly in all my life.”

The Saturday Night Takeaway stars, both from Newcastle upon Tyne, will journey to Ireland as well as to the US, where they will visit the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards 2019 – Press Room – London
Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards 2019 – Press Room – London Danny Dyer (Ian West/PA)

One will discover his great-grandfather was a celebrated war hero, while the other will find out that his cousin is a former US female wrestling promoter.

Their research will also unearth evidence that the bones of one of their ancestor were deemed “of historical importance”.

The minute-long video also shows McPartlin walking into a room full of people, before saying: “We have a DNA match – we are all related,” to loud cheers.

Similarly, EastEnders star Danny Dyer discovered in 2016 that he is related to Thomas Cromwell, Edward III, William the Conqueror and Henry III during filming for the BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?

McPartlin is preparing to return to work on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! after taking a break from the show following his arrest for drink-driving in March 2018.

CLIC Sargent, A Very British Affair auction – London
CLIC Sargent, A Very British Affair auction – London Holly Willoughby (Ian West/PA)

The TV presenter, who was replaced by Holly Willoughby on the series last year, recently reunited with Donnelly in the Australian jungle.

Donnelly hosted the live episodes of Britain’s Got Talent solo last year during his co-host’s hiatus, but McPartlin made his full return to the variety programme earlier this year.

Ant and Dec’s DNA Journey, a two-part co-production between Voltage TV and Mitre Television, is coming soon to ITV.