COMIC Josh Widdicombe nearly lost his head when told he is related to Henry VIII.
The star, 38, found out the news when he took part in Who Do You Think You Are?.
How is Josh Widdicombe related to King Henry VIII?
King Henry VIII is Josh’s 23 times great-grandfather.
The Last Leg funnyman also discovers he is descended from Edward I.
His link to Henry VIII is through a distant great nan, said to be the king’s illegitimate daughter.
Josh says on in TV’s Who Do You Think You Are?: “To say it’s exceeded my expectations is the understatement of a lifetime. I was just expecting a couple of farmers. It’s proper blue blood, isn’t it?”
He also finds out his ten times great-grandfather Henry Rich was the first Earl of Holland, a trusted adviser to King Charles I.
But his role was to accompany him to the toilet at all times as “groom of the stool”.
Prof Tracy Borman dismissed any cries of sympathy, saying: “It’s the most sought-after role in the king’s court. In those days it’s all about getting ahead as well as getting to be with the king.”
Which other celebrities have royal relatives?
Danny Dyer
Josh’s news comes five years after EastEnders actor Danny Dyer found out on the show he was related to Edward III.
He got got the shock of his life when he discovered he has royal blood running through his veins.
Apparently, he is a direct descendant of two kings: William the Conqueror and Edward III.
He’s also related to Henry VIII’s adviser Thomas Cromwell.
Boris Johnson
It turns out Boris’ paternal grandmother, Yvonne Eileen Williams, was a descendant of Prince Paul Von Wurttemberg of Germany.
He was a direct descendant of George II, which makes the 18th-century king Boris’s great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather.
This means the Prime Minister is not only related to Queen Elizabeth, but also to the Swedish and Dutch royal families, as well as former Russian Imperial dynasty the Romanovs.
Sir Matthew Pinsent
Researchers on the show traced Sir Matthew’s relatives back to Catherine Howard – the fifth wife of Henry VIII – Edward I and William the Conqueror.
But then the team uncovered an even more shocking discovery: an ancient scroll which stated the Norman king was descended from Adam and Eve.
How can I watch Who Do You Think You Are?
Josh’s discoveries come in the new series of the BBC1 genealogy show.
The series will also feature Dame Judi Dench and singer Pixie Lott.
The show starts TONIGHT (October 12, 2021) at 9pm on BBC One.
