Shirley Ballas Uncovers African Heritage | Who Do You Think You Are

Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas, discovers her great grandfather George Rich was born in Cape Town in 1866. She heads to South Africa to see if she really does have black ancestory, but what will she find?

In each episode one of Britain's best-loved celebrities traces their family tree to reveal the surprising, extraordinary and often moving stories of their ancestors.

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[wadisanaa]

The lady in the Library seems so excited. I mean she cant contain herself. . Bless her heart .

[mlcase]

It was a wrap as soon as they picture of George Rich was shown! I’m just here for the comments! 🍿

[trishlong]

What I couldn't grasp is she kept saying about having black ancestors and wanted to know where they were in her tree even after seeing the photo which you could clearly see the man was black.

[wendylady]

People choose to see (or not) for many reasons. What is obvious to the stranger, is a great mystery to the family.

[marcilenewatkins]

These folks slay me.... the pic shows mixed

[lifewithcamille]

Glad to see the lady was even interested in exploring her African ancestry. Sadly, I see people find out they have African ancestry and try to overlook it just to claim 1% Native American.

[aisensantana]

You can clearly see the African in both pictures in the facial features

[Rony]

The genealogist looks bewildered that the woman was interested in her African heritage.

[evaperez]

Shirley has smooth dance step. Love it

[contact]

Very very clear from the picture he is of mixed race with African features...come on people

[mbaliacamara]

The African ancestry is so obvious I cannot believe that even her aunt cannot see it in two of the photographs. You can see the african likeness (nose and lips) in father and George Rich grandfather. The African physiology is designed to cope with the African environment.

[maijaliepa]

WOW - What a Handsome Ancestor she has. I see his eyes in her eyes - a sparkle. Have not watched entire show - interesting family. Glad she put her family out into the world. My own family has people from all over the world. A gift of humanity.♥️🌎♥️🙋‍♀️

[lifewithcamille]

Correction: Africans are the original land owners since the days of Adam and Eve. The Dutch, British, and Portuguese invaded their territory...

[gadzookshardy]

She's excited and the face on the lady w information is priceless lol

[mfrostw]

I spent most of the 2nd half shouting at the TV to answer all the obvious questions they were totally ignoring. Never mentioned that Caroline Otto was unmarried and that her 5 children had no father. Never explored the fact that her master left her, a slave washerwoman, and her children a small fortune, which obviously implies he was the father. A very frustrating programme

[lorenzacoleman]

The aunt seems to be in such denial. It's amazing to me how something can be right in ones face yet they still ignore the truth.

[maryjanejames]

That great gran peppi looks clearly mixed.

[EbonyJoneskuye]

The Dutch and British invaded South Africa, not founded as if it was a friendly invasion.

[cordelia]

thats why she felt connected to the people in south africa immediately while they were singing at the bench

[ucheedochie]

I am most impressed by the level of documentation that makes these discoveries possible. Great effort. Very impressive