You probably never imagined actor Hugh Bonneville and comedian John Bishop would be friends, yet they are!
The two TV personalities were astounded to learn that their forebears worked four doors apart in Dublin and marched together in favour of workers’ rights.
DNA Journey, which returns for a fourth season on ITV on Tuesday, will feature four famous couples unearthing their heritage and making life-changing discoveries in South Africa, Ireland, and Norwich and St Helens, England.
In the first episode, Bonneville and Bishop, who met by coincidence in a Covid vaccination centre, solidify their bond with a voyage to uncover their family history.
After the death of his brother, veteran actor Bonneville, best known for playing the Lord of Grantham in the Downton Abbey films and TV series, continues his family tree study.
The 59-year-old seeks to learn the origins of his surname and middle name, Bonniwell, which ultimately became his stage moniker Bonneville.
He also discovers his three times removed Great Grandfather, who worked at Somerset House in London and dedicated his life to improve working conditions for sailors before establishing a school in Wales.
Bonneville meets his cousin before learning that he has a deep connection to Dublin and that his ancestor was a journeyman baker.
The actor is matched with Liverpool-born comedian Bishop, who claims he has always had a strong connection to his Irish heritage but understands very little about it.
The 56-year-old identifies an ancestor who emigrated from Ireland to Liverpool and, despite a few run-ins with the authorities, founded a successful business in the thriving salt industry.
He also visits Dublin, where he discovers a three-times-removed great grandpa who is a gifted musical instrument manufacturer and trade unionist who pushed for improved rights for his whole industry.
It was eventually established that Bishop’s ancestor worked four doors down from Bonneville’s cousin, and that as trade unionists, they marched together through the streets of Dublin in favour of worker’s rights.
DNA Journey starts on Tuesday March 7 on ITV and ITVX at 9pm.