Remember when the greatest TV tension was watching Jeremy Kyle reveal the results of a DNA test to warring couples?
In those days, the tests only passed through the hands of medical professionals in white coats or the all-hallowed Kyle research team.
We’ve come a long way since then.
DNA Family Secrets on BBC2 on Tuesday saw Stacey Dooley tell us: “DNA doesn’t lie but are we ready for the truth?”
In true millennial style, Stacey and co just have to tap a few buttons to access a massive DNA database, thanks to some 25 million people worldwide doing a home test.
Did you catch the show? Tell us what you thought in the comments section
It’s like Who Do You Think You Are? on speed.
Just spit, stick it in an envelope and send it off. Bob’s your uncle. Or maybe he isn’t.
It makes for gripping TV and it’s no surprise that the BBC wanted a show to rival ITV’s big-hitter, Long Lost Family.
Although this is not just about reuniting long lost relatives – it also answers DNA questions about hereditary diseases.
Sliding into Davina McCall’s role of tea, sympathy and a secret stash of old photos, Stacey honed her concerned lean-in.
Bill, 75, wanted to know what happened to his father, an African-American GI who returned to America after the war and was never heard from again.
The action cut to a scientist with a big syringe – just in case we weren’t sure what a scientist looked like.
This was top geneticist Turi King, who told Bill that his father already had a family back in America, but delivered the blow with wonderful empathy, assuring him he may have wanted to return, but interracial marriage was illegal.
Turi continued earning her money as she helped Richard, 53, who had recently discovered his dad wasn’t his biological father.
In a slightly backwards decision, made purely for viewer shock factor, Richard met up with his potential half-brother Brendan – who happened to be his doppelganger.
“It’s like looking in the mirror!” said Brendan.
Just as we all shouted, “Of course they’re brothers!” Turi revealed they weren’t. Excuse me, what?
Elsewhere, Charlie wanted to find out if she had inherited Huntington’s disease from her dad.
If she had the gene, then her toddler Cian could also have it.
“I feel so sick,” said Charlie as she awaited the results.
As she got her negative result I cried.
As Bill met American relatives online, I cried.
When a First Dates-style postscript revealed the bearded twins remained golf buddies, I cried again.
Emotional, with fascinating DNA facts, this format may be inherited but it’s certainly a winner.
