Barry Humphries to explore his family history in posthumous episode of Who Do You Think You Are?
Royal love scandals, criminals and ‘devastating’ secret: Barry Humphries explores his family history in the posthumous episode of Who Do You Think You Are?
The late Barry Humphries is set to star in a posthumous episode of SBS’ hit genealogy series, Who Do You Think You Are? this week.
The episode, which was filmed months before he died on Saturday at the age of 89, follows Humphries as he unravels his family history to uncover shocking generational secrets.
A promo for the episode teases how Humphries will investigate a “royal scandal” in his father’s ancestry before discovering a legacy of crime on his mother’s side.
Barry is sure he is the most interesting person in his family tree and tries to prove him wrong.
“My mother used to say in mixed company, ‘We don’t know where Barry came from’… Well, I started to think, where did I come from?” said the iconic artist.
The late Barry Humphries is set to star in a posthumous episode of SBS’ hit genealogy series, Who Do You Think You Are? this week. (Humphries is pictured on the show)
According to TV week magazine, Humphries will trace his ancestry back to 18th century England, where he learns that his distant paternal relative was cheated on by his wife.
The woman had an affair with a prominent member of the British royal family.
He then learns how his three-time great-grandfather worked as a “bootlegger” buying and selling illegal liquor in 19th-century England.
A promo for the episode teases how Humphries will investigate a “royal scandal” in his father’s lineage before discovering a legacy of crime on his mother’s side
The episode comes to a head when Humphries stumbles upon a “devastating” family secret.
Humphries’ appearance on the program was confirmed earlier this month, just weeks before he passed away from complications following hip surgery.
The comedian died at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney surrounded by his immediate family, including his wife of 30 years Lizzie Spender.
The episode comes to a head when Humphries stumbles upon a “devastating” family secret
For weeks, the comic had dismissed concerns about the seriousness of his condition, but before noon on Saturday, a spokesperson confirmed he had died.
Humphries tripped over a rug while reaching for a book in February and underwent surgery at St Vincent’s, where he was readmitted this week.
“He was completely himself to the end and never lost his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity,” his family said in a statement.
The comedian died at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney surrounded by his immediate family, including his wife of 30 years Lizzie Spender. (Depicted as his character Dame Edna Everage)
Dame Edna Everage remains Humphries’ most recognizable invention, becoming internationally recognizable over the decades.
The beloved character began life as a housewife in Melbourne in the 1950s and was known for his lilac permed hair, outlandish cat-eye glasses and gaudy dresses.
Humphries’ episode of Who Do You Think You Are? will be broadcast on Tuesday 2 May at 7.30 pm on SBS.
Humphries’ episode of Who Do You Think You Are? will premiere on SBS on Tuesday 2 May at 7.30 pm