Doctor Who star Ruth Madeley's father, Geoff, is left stunned after uncovering a significant family secret on Thursday's episode of Who Do You Think You Are. In the forthcoming episode, the 38-year-old actress embarks on a journey to explore her family history, soon unearthing a momentous secret that leaves her nearest and dearest in disbelief.
Grandmother's Adoption Revealed
The family learns that Ruth's grandmother, Beatrice, was adopted — a fact unknown to anyone, including her father Geoff, as his mother Beatrice never disclosed it to him. In an exclusive preview clip, Ruth and her father discuss the revelation. Ruth addresses her dad, saying: "So my grandma, your mum Beatrice, we found out she was adopted."
Expressing his astonishment, Ruth's father replies: "When I got that phone call, I thought, 'what's going on?' You could have knocked me down with a feather" to which Ruth responds: "Wow!" Her father continues: "I'm dead surprised that my grandma never said anything. That's the only thing that I can't get my head around."
Father-Daughter Banter
Ruth then asks: "You said you weren't like your mum" with her father answering: "No, my mum wasn't one for doing a lot with me. She'd never play games with you. You know, like I'd play games with you and Elizabeth." Playfully teasing her father, Ruth jokes: "I don't remember you ever playing with me... I'm joking!" with her dad sternly replying: "That's terrible, I've always played [games] with you!" Ruth then adds: "No, you always did, your face, I'm kidding!"
Family Photos Spark Reflection
The father and daughter are subsequently joined by the remaining family members, Ruth's mother and sister. Ruth's mother proceeds to share a collection of photographs featuring Beatrice and Geoff's family. Geoff is visibly taken aback upon seeing the family pictures, remarking: "That's my mother? She never looked happy, she wasn't much of a smiler. My mother wasn't one for keeping photographs."
Reflecting on memories from the past, Ruth's mother confesses: "I mean, we asked her for information as well, because especially when we knew about Ruth going to be born with spina bifida because it can be hereditary. Your mum [grandma Beatrice] wasn't really very forthcoming, was she, with that?" This leads Ruth's sister to ponder: "Do you think that's because she knew she was adopted, though?" to which Geoff concedes: "I don't know!"
Journey to Find Biological Great-Grandmother
Throughout the episode, viewers will watch Ruth embark on a mission to identify her biological great grandmother, with her investigations taking her between London and Manchester. Who Do You Think You Are? airs at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
