Actor John Hurt goes back to his roots to uncover some amazing secrets and links to the past, in tonight’s edition of Who Do You Think You Are?

Family legend states that John’s great-grandmother, Emma Stafford, was the illegitimate daughter of an Irish aristocrat. Although born in England, John is proud of his Irish heritage and hopes this will be the chance to discover the truth about Emma’s parentage.

He begins his investigations by travelling to speak with his brother, Michael, who is a monk at Glenstal Abbey in Western Ireland. Together, they head to Westport House, home of the current Marquis of Sligo, in search of clues. They know that Emma’s husband, Walter Lord Browne, named his school in Grimsby Westport House, so they are sure that there must be a connection.

Historian Ann Chambers helps them to work out which Earl could have been Emma’s father. She thinks the best bet is Howe Peter Browne, second Marquis of Sligo. Howe Peter certainly had other illegitimate children, so perhaps the family legend is true. What they need now is proof.

However, when John finds Emma’s marriage certificate, he discovers that her father is recorded as an Edward Stafford and that she was born in Croydon. At Croydon Parish Church, Emma’s baptism record again gives her parents as Edward and Emma Stafford. The Sligo connection appears to be slipping away. But, at the local library, John discovers that Emma’s parents are nowhere to be found. She is at a local boarding school, but no further records for Edward or Emma Stafford exist anywhere. On the census, Emma does not even appear to know where she was born.

During his investigations, John travels across England and Ireland in search of clues. As the truth slowly emerges, he uncovers a story of illegitimacy, scandal and cover-up. He starts to realise that, although the story he was told has become confused over time, one of his ancestors appears to have had a hand in muddying the waters for his own ends.

Thursday 13 September
9.00-10.00pm BBC ONE