What is DNA Family Secrets?
DNA Family Secrets is a BBC Two documentary series presented by Stacey Dooley. The programme follows members of the public who want to answer questions about their family or health using DNA testing, and reveals how the latest DNA technology is transforming our understanding of who we are.
When is DNA Family Secrets on TV?
Following a successful first series last year, DNA Family Secrets series 2 will start broadcasting on BBC Two at 9pm on Wednesday 11 May. There will be six episodes altogether, broadcast weekly.
What is DNA Family Secrets about?
DNA Family Secrets sees Stacey Dooley, genetics expert Professor Turi King and a team of genealogists, social workers and doctors use the latest DNA testing to help ordinary people from across the UK reveal their heritage, track down distant relatives and detect debilitating diseases before it is too late.
In the first episode of DNA Family Secrets, Stacey Dooley is in Liverpool to meet 52 year old Richard, who is on a life-long mission to discover the identity of his father. With his mum never revealing the truth while she was still alive, Richard has hit a number of dead ends researching on his own. When Professor Turi King and the team test his DNA, they deliver far more than Richard expects and he’s blown away when finally learning the truth.
62 year old Janet has spent her life wondering if a rumour is true that she might have a secret sister. When her father returned as a British prisoner of war during World War Two, she had heard that he may have fathered a child while in Austria. She now wants to know if there is a half-sister on the continent looking for her as well.
Glen’s mother never knew where his father was from, only that he wasn’t white. After spending his school years feeling like the odd one out in Oxfordshire he’s desperate to finally learn his ancestry. Testing his DNA is the only way to finally give him answers.
Who is Stacey Dooley?
Stacey Dooley MBE is a television presenter best known for presenting the documentary series Stacey Dooley Investigates on BBC Three and the reality competition series Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star. She was also the winning contestant on the 2018 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Rosemary Collins is the staff writer of Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine