Latest news with #HughLeDespenser
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Pop Idol star makes same British royal discovery as Danny Dyer after nine years
Another famous face delves into their family history on Who Do You Think You Are? and the results are shocking EastEnders icon Danny Dyer left viewers gobsmacked when he found out his bloodline had been linked to English Royalty, and now a Pop Idol celebrity has stumbled upon a similarly astonishing discovery. Will Young is set to appear on Who Do You Think You Are? where he's poised to uncover a bombshell that promises to shake his world to its core. The 46-year-old chart-topper delves into historical records to trace any hidden secrets within his family tree. In an episode that promises to drop jaws, the Pop Idol winner discovers a connection to Hugh Le Despenser, a one-time confidant of King Edward II. Hugh Le Despenser, a name etched in history, had amassed great wealth by acquiring lands in South Wales, becoming one of the wealthiest men of his era, reports Surrey Live. But the revelations didn't stop there, Will was astounded to learn that he is a direct descendant of King Edward I, not once but twenty times over. Known as the Hammer of the Scots, Edward I reigned as King of England from 1272 until 1307. Overwhelmed by the magnitude of his lineage, Will described the revelation as "soul nourishing" and expressed his astonishment: "I didn't expect it, my 20 times great-grandfather was Edward I, that's just bonkers, and then we move to the man, the myth, the legend, the horror that is Hugh Le Despenser, who's just an absolute monster of a man." The episode took a poignant turn as the artist learnt his late grandfather Digby Young had been a bomber pilot and prisoner of war during WWII, a fact previously unknown to him. Digby was detained in a German-occupied prison in Poland until he talked his way out and earned the role of Squadron Leader, piloting jets. Will shared poignantly: "It's completely not how I saw him at all. I didn't know he went on to do any of this. Now I feel like I've got another grandfather. I didn't feel like I had a right, really, to claim another grandfather, because I didn't know him." To honour his grandfather's memory, the pop star had a tattoo done with Digby's squadron number. Will's revelation shares similarities with actor Danny Dyer's discovery that he descends from William the Conqueror and King Edward III, uncovered on the 2016 series of Who Do You Think You Are? Like Will, Danny also found out he was related to Thomas Cromwell, the counsellor to Henry VIII and protagonist of the English Reformation. Will Young's royal discovery will air on June 3, at 9pm on BBC One.
Metro
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Another celebrity discovers they're related to a king 9 years after Danny Dyer
It's been nine years since Danny Dyer unforgettably discovered he was related to English royalty – and now Will Young is following in his footsteps. The EastEnders star, 47, couldn't have possibly have predicted he shared a direct bloodline with William the Conqueror and King Edward III when he appeared on BBC's Who Do You Think You Are? in 2016. Not only that, but he even has ties with Henry VIII's adviser and English Reformation advocate, Thomas Cromwell – all of which was explored in his hands-on 2019 documentary Right Royal Family. Nothing screams niche British nepo baby like finding some blue-blooded skeletons in your closet and now the 46-year-old singer has his own aristocratic claim to fame on his episode of the genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are? During the episode, the former Pop Idol winner discovered his relation to Hugh Le Despenser, an adviser to King Edward II who became one of the richest men of the time after seizing land in South Wales. But the shock revelations didn't end there as he also discovered King Edward I – who ruled on the turn of the 13th and 14th century – was his direct ancestor, 20 times over. Reflecting on it all he called it one of the most 'soul nourishing experiences I've ever had.' He continued: 'I didn't expect it, my 20 times great-grandfather was Edward I, that's just bonkers, and then we move to the man, the myth, the legend, the horror that is Hugh Le Despenser, who's just an absolute monster of a man.' It won't be long before the UK has accidentally built an exclusive selection of British celebs who can unite to overthrow the monarchy with their own claim to the throne. Elsewhere in the episode the actor grew emotional after finding out his grandfather Digby Young was a prisoner of war during the Second World War at German-occupied prison in Poland. The bomber pilot managed to bribe himself out and went onto become a Squadron Leader flying jets. He reflected: 'It's completely not how I saw him at all. I didn't know he went on to do any of this. Now I feel like I've got another grandfather. I didn't feel like I had a right, really, to claim another grandfather, because I didn't know him.' And even got a tattoo of his plane and squadron number in his memory. The Strictly Come Dancing star is behind four UK number one singles and recently told Metro that he was considering a career change after finding a passion for helping young people. ''If I don't end up fostering I've been looking into training to become a school counsellor,' Will told Metro. More Trending 'I think there's a huge need for school counsellors, and so I will definitely be in some sort of way aiding, helping and guiding younger people, because I'm of that age now. 'I think it's important for people to know that you can be parental, even if you don't have kids. 'You can still find that part of you, and I think that's really important for people to realise, and important for myself,' he explained. View More » Will Young's episode of Who Do You Think You Are airs on BBC One at 9pm on June 3. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'Humanising trans people is so important right now – our BBC series does that' MORE: Gary Lineker breaks 26-year streak with mistake on final Match of the Day MORE: Former CBBC child star reveals she's been diagnosed with perimenopause at 36
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Will Young makes the shock discovery he's related to King Edward I as he breaks down in tears over his late grandfather
Will Young has revealed that he's a distant relative of British royalty. The Pop Idol star, 46, was left stunned by the discovery, which features in an upcoming episode of Who Do You Think You Are?. In the episode, Will learns that Edward I is his 20 times great grandfather, with the monarch ruling from 1272 to 1307. After discovering the royal link, Will says: 'No? Edward the First! No? You are joking? You have made it up. That's unbelievable. This is just amazing. 'I cannot believe it. It is wonderful. Being related to a king, will it change my behaviour? I mean the short answer is Yes. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'What you are beholding is essentially a future despot. You see Mr Nice Guy. Now get ready for Mr Nasty.' The royal link is revealed at the very end of the episode, which sees Will learn about his 18 times great grandfather was Hugh Le Despenser, considered one of the most prominent political figures of the 14th Century. Hugh and his wife Eleanor de Clare were nobles during Edward II's reign, with the latters mother being Joan of Acre, The Countess of Hertford and Gloucester. Joan's parents were King Edward I and his first wife Eleanor of Castile, making Eleanor de Clare the granddaughter of King Edward I. Hugh became a key political figure in the King's Court, and in 1318 he was appointed the King's Chamberlain, becoming known for his evil and greedy reputation. After England was invaded in 1326, Hugh was captured and beheaded. Will said: 'I don't think he deserves it from me but I might offer up an apology to the people that he harmed. 'So I have an 18 times great grandfather and I didn't know I was related to him and he is so well known in late medieval history as being an evil person. 'He changed the shape and direction of the country during his time. I suppose that counts for something. At least he made his mark. 'I have learned about a man who has done horrific things in his life yet through his wife's connections in her family, they are kind of erasing history in a way like.. yeah it's alright you can still have a tomb. It is almost propaganda isn't it?' During the episode, Will also learns about his more recent family history, including his late grandfather. Digby Young became a prisoner of war during the Second World War, but knew little else about his life as he passed away before Will was born. Will discovers that Digby, a bomber pilot, was hit by fire and suffered engine failure, survived and was taken as a prisoner to the Luftwaffe-run camp, in Poland. After the war ended, the British servicement marched through the winter, with Digby using 'alcohol and a few kitchen knives' to amputate a Nazi soldier's leg when they developed frostbite, according to a fellow Prison of War's account. Will breaks down in tears as he reflected on his grandfather's life, saying: 'There is a sadness that comes with it, is that I think he was perceived as a bit of a loser after the war, by some of the family, this is the proper telling of a really decent man.' 'An extraordinary man, I don't think has passed down to me through my father, and hasn't for my father.' 'So this means so much to me and my dad, sorry, I feel quite emotional about it.' Will went onto reveal that he has had a tattoo of plane and Digby's squadron number to remember him. It comes after Will revealed he is 'enjoying dating again' and has 'rediscovered his libido' during an intimate chat on Jamie Laing's Great Company Podcast. The Pop Idol star who came out as gay publicly in 2002 age 23 at the time, said he was always afraid of falling in love again, in case he got his heart broken. But the hitmaker has now shared he is 'met someone really nice' and is having fun 'opening his heart' up again. Will - who just released his ninth album Light It Up - said: 'I am dating someone quite nice at the moment, which, by the way, is quite a new experience for me because I have a very closed heart in relationships. 'So, [relationships] have not been a pleasure for me at all.' 'Are you a sexual person?', Jamie asked. Will replied: 'Oh I love sex, I have rediscovered it again. I had a bit of a drought but we all do. The libido is back!' The singer also admitted he is 'dreadful' in relationships because of past heartbreak that has caused him to shut off. He said: 'Give me something to be successful at and I'll knock it out of the park but relationships are my kryptonite because my heart has been closed. 'I think my heart is opening, which is quite a new experience for me… which is nice at age 45. I am enjoying dating for the first time.' Will also shared that being alone has helped him find happiness within himself, rather than staying in a 'lonely' relationship. He added: 'The real thing is, you've got to be happy with yourself and that has taken me a long time. 'There's nothing more lonely than being in the wrong relationship. That is the loneliest place in the world.'
