TV review: Who Do You Think You Are?

The 61-year-old became the latest in a long line of celebrities to trace the branches of their family tree on hit show Who Do You Think You Are?

And like one of his early characters the actor proved himself to be charming company for an hour as last night's show unearthed revelations aplenty.

Admittedly on paper the show's premise may not sound the most interesting. But it is difficult not to get sucked in to the celebrity's 'journey' as they gradually uncover unknown corners of their personal history.

Cynics may scoff that shows like this are merely an extension of our celebrity-obsessed culture, given a slightly more respectable sheen through the use of genealogy.

But the show is also surprisingly informative at times – with last night's instalment revealing how cab drivers of the 19th century protected themselves from highway robbers at a time when the police force was still taking its early steps.

The programme has an undeniable appeal and, if nothing else, is an entertaining way of passing an hour in front of the box.

Throughout the show Havers, who is the son of a peer, has a baroness for an aunt and a grandfather who was knighted, came across as a likeable character enthusiastic about his findings.

The majority of the programme focused on the actor learning more about his father's side of the family tree focusing on his great-great-great grandfather Henry Hamblion who owned a successful cab business.

There was some amusement at the notion of Henry's brother Jeremiah leaving the business due to incidents of horse-drawn "road rage" which made the papers of the time.

But there was poignancy as well after the actor learned his relative had lost his business and fortune while trying to help out his son-in-law and protect his eldest daughter from bankruptcy.

But Henry proved to be a very clever man as, while he had money, he had paid into a fund which ensured he and his family would still have a roof over their head. Unfortunately he was to die of a heart attack before moving into their new property.

The final 20 minutes of the programme was dedicated to researching the actor's great-great grandfather, on his mother's side, David Couch who had been a miller Cornwall.

It was discovered David had a fling with a servant and she had become pregnant.

Havers was quick to point out the parallels between his ancestor and many of the acting roles which have made him a household name over the years.

He told the cameras: "He was a bit of a cad really. Oh dear, I've been playing those sorts of parts for years."

But the actor found out his ancestor had acknowledged the child so that she even had his name.

Unfortunately the child was to die shortly afterwards of a chest complaint.

The show uncovered David had later married and had more children. But not long after taking over the mill from his father he had died at the age of just 48.

At the end of the programme, Havers said he had been pleased to have found out so much about his family history.

And he seemed quite relieved to have discovered they were essentially nice people.

Although lacking in some of the more hard-hitting discoveries of past editions, last night's show was still an entertaining affair.

An engaging mix of the personal and historical it is not difficult to see why the programme is now in its 10th series.

Lee Watton