The Chase star Anne Hegerty revealed she’s set to discover more about her Irish heritage in ITV’s hit show DNA journey.
Anne, otherwise known as The Governess on the award winning quiz show sent Irish fans wild when she revealed her family connection to Ireland while on the spin off programme, Beat the Chasers earlier this year.
Lifting the lid on her various Irish lineages, she said she’s eager to learn more about her roots in a new show.
She told Irish Daily Mirror: “I don’t know if i’m supposed to tell you this, but I’m supposed to be doing that ITV show DNA journey but I know they are talking to my family but obviously they can’t tell me anything.
“So I’m kind of looking forward to finding some surprises.”
Detailing what she already knows of her Irish heritage, the TV star said: "I’ve kind of got three Irish lineages.
“The Hegertys who came from Cork, and then the ascendency Irish, the Breretons who settled in either Laois or Offaly or maybe a bit of both.
“And then the scots Irish Paisleyites, who are the Johnsons from near Downpatrick.
“So yeah my grandmother was born in Scotland near Aberdeen.
“But both her parents were one of them was a Johnson and one of them was a Brereton so that is sort of like a closer connection than the Hegertys."
The 63-year-old went on: "The Hegertys came over here during the potato famine, and I loved to know more about the Hegertys and I'd love to know whether they were from Co. Cork or city of Cork all I know is Cork, it could be either.
“And I’d love to know a bit more about their lives in Ireland. I know that my great-great grandfather came over and I don’t know how many of his family came with him."
Speaking at the Virgin Media schedule launch, she continued: "He was born in 1835 so I don’t know when he came over, if he was a child, if he was with family. I would quite like to know those things.”
But the Chaser isn’t the only star exploring her Irish roots on the DNA discovery show, first made famous by presenting duo Ant and Dec.
Irish Mirror reported that UK TV stars Emma Willis and Stephen Mulhern were also spotted in Ireland last month, in Co. Donegal’s seaside town of Bundoran.
As filming fever has taken over Ireland in the past year, Emma and Stephen, who are longtime pals on and off the screen, were the latest to have been spotted filming at the scenic spot - as they met with long lost relatives for the new season of the series.
