Kate Winslet discovers truth behind scandalous divorcee grandfather in Who Do You Think You Are
WHO Do You Think You Are? has scored a Titanic coup by getting Oscar-winner Kate Winslet to appear on the BBC1 show.
The British A-lister famously took more than a decade of Oscar nominations before landing Best Actress for 2009’s The Reader.
And she can tick another box on her bucket list by exploring what secrets the Winslet clan’s history holds.
Kate is already in the UK filming her episode. It will appear in series 16 of the genealogy favourite, which is screened later this year.
A TV insider said: “Getting a bona fide film star to take part in Who Do You Think You Are? is a real coup for the makers of the show.
“There’s only been a handful of participants on a similar level, such as Sir Ian McKellen and JK Rowling, and she’s likely to top the bill of names in the new series. The programme continues to be one of the most popular shows on the Beeb and signing up genuine stars is proof of its ongoing appeal.”
Kate, who got an Academy Award nomination for her role opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in the 1997 movie Titanic, was born and raised in Reading with three siblings. Her mum Sally was a waitress and nanny, and her dad Roger was a struggling actor.
But the episode is likely to explore the varied occupations her ancestors had, ranging from a dentist and butcher to a publican and policeman.
In 1938, Kate’s maternal grandfather, Archibald, took what was then the scandalous step of getting divorced and remarrying.
Even more eyebrows would have been raised when he married a woman 17 years his junior.
Also surprising is the fact that, in 1851, one of her relatives, called Robert Bridges, married his own cousin, who was nine years younger than him.
Imagine if the show also reveals that some of Kate’s relatives were on the Titanic.
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ANDY HALLS'
BIZARRE TV COLUMN
bizbit
WHEN Hollywood actor Rob Lowe turned up in Boston, Lincs, to film new cop drama Wild Bill, locals thought he was a real policeman.
He said: “People were coming up to me thinking I was the actual new Chief Constable, which was great.”
McLean set of undies
JUST weeks after appearing on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, Loose Women’s Andrea McLean is now preparing to run through London in her underwear.
She will strip off alongside other runners including Giovanna Fletcher and Seann Walsh's ex Rebecca Humphries for the Vitality London 10,000 on May 27.
She said: “I’m 50 this year but I genuinely love the skin I’m in. We should celebrate all body shapes.”
Sign up to run with Andrea at . I think I might keep my kit on for now.
Jeremy Pax a punch
JEREMY Paxman is never one to mince his words. Ask the interviewer a tricky question of his own and you will get a mouthful.
When he bumped into a pal of mine after his 69th birthday party in Notting Hill, London, Jeremy had forthright views on the Brexit saga.
He said: “Why doesn’t that Theresa May, her government and the other parties just stop f****** about and get on with f****** delivering Brexit?
“The electorate clearly voted for Brexit in the referendum and these f****** politicians are behaving shamefully by not delivering on their wishes. The whole poxy Brexit process – if you can call it that – has to date been one f****** disaster after another and is being presided over by a pretty crap PM and a s**t shower of a Cabinet.”
Before shuffling off, he angrily added: “I’m just too f****** old to present Newsnight now and ask politicians the right questions over Brexit. Besides, my view doesn’t count any more, I’m just a f****** stupid old man you know.”
Jeremy is starting to sound a bit like Victor Meldrew in his old age.
bizbit
THE first trailer for the latest run of futuristic thriller series Black Mirror features Miley Cyrus, Andrew Scott and Anthony Mackie.
The star-studded fifth series has three stand-alone episodes and debuts on Netflix on June 5.
Fun and dames
GET ready possums, Dame Edna Everage is about to make a TV return 12 years after hosting her last show.
The veteran Aussie, played by comic Barry Humphries, will front a one-off BBC1 show from her “luxury yacht”.
The hour-long comeback will include celebrity guests, music and a “few surprises”.
Dame Edna said: “The world needs sunshine so I am very happy to welcome you all on board. One hour on my yacht is better than a lifetime on a cruise liner.”
The programme will air later this year after Dame Edna’s emotional farewell theatre tour, which hits the UK in September.
MOST READ IN BIZARRE
Soapbox
GET the tissues ready for tonight’s episode of EastEnders as Mitch finds Bailey’s mum Dinah dead.
Mick is there to comfort his friend before Karen turns up, devastated that Dinah has taken her own life and unsure whether to admit she suspected she would do it.
Over on Emmerdale, Harriet is horrified to discover Dawn with a head injury following a tussle with Will.
The vicar quickly locks her former stepdaughter into the cottage and makes her way to the church. And it is there that Harriet finally comes face to face with her tormentor, Will.
Must Watch
WHAT? David Harewood: Psychosis And Me, BBC2, 9pm.
WHY? The Homeland actor retraces the events that led to a psychotic breakdown 30 years ago and meets others facing mental health crises.
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