Ed Balls
Ed Balls explores his ancestry, investigating a possible link to Nelson's HMS Victory. He also learns about an ancestor who was put on trial at Norwich Castle.
Ed Balls, former Labour politician, sequinned Strictly dancer and TV presenter, grew up in a family that wanted to make the world a better place. His mother Carolyn’s dementia means she can’t share their family history with him, so he sets out to discover what kind of characters his ancestors were. Rumours on his paternal side about a link to Nelson’s ship HMS Victory lead Ed to Portsmouth and the story of his great-great-great-grandfather William Dunbar, an assistant surgeon. But as he unravels Dunbar’s medical career, he unearths a dark history of abuse and horror at a Kent workhouse. On his mother Carolyn’s side, he feels a deep connection with Christopher Green, an agricultural labourer put on trial at Norwich Castle after he stood up to defend his livelihood and community.
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Clips
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"Maybe... he didn't have to do it this way"
Duration: 01:35
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"I want him to be one of the good guys, not one of the bad guys"
Duration: 01:54
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Participant | Joe Lycett |
Narrator | Phil Davis |
Director | Helen Nixon |
Producer | Noa Snowdon |
Executive Producer | Colette Flight |
Series Editor | Sarah Feltes |
Broadcasts
- Tue 30 Nov 2021 21:00
- Sat 18 Dec 2021 00:40
Featured in...
Who Do You Think You Are?
Lost connections and unfamiliar histories are revealed.
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