Who Do You Think You Are? - Matt Lucas - 10:00 pm Tuesday, June 30 on Really

About this Broadcast

Matt Lucas
Season 19, Episode 3

Comedian, presenter and actor Matt Lucas had an exceptionally close bond with his late grandmother, Margot, who came to the UK in 1939 as a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany. Matt has never fully understood what Margot experienced as a young woman in Berlin in the lead up to the Second World War - or what became of the extended family she left behind. Matt's poignant journey takes him to Berlin, and then to Amsterdam where he discovers an extraordinary connection to Anne Frank, as well as the fate of his many family members who had fled to Holland, which was later was invaded by the Germans

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Education/Science/Factual Topics Family And Friends History

Did You Know..

Matt Lucas (Presenter)

Born: March 05, 1974 in Paddington, London

Best Known For: Little Britain.

Early-life: Matthew Richard Lucas was born in London on March 5, 1974 to Diana and chauffeur John. Together with his older brother Howard, the family lived in Stanmore, Middlesex. Matt developed alopecia at a young age and lost his hair when he was just six. He attended the National Youth Theatre, where he met his long-time collaborator David Walliams. In 1992, he made his debut on the London comedy circuit with the character Sir Bernard Chumley, five weeks after he was talent-spotted by Bob Mortimer.

Career: In 1994, Lucas appeared at the Edinburgh Festival, returning a year later with Walliams. The pair enjoyed a sell-out tour in 1997. Lucas also worked with Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer on The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, Shooting Stars, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and Vic and Bob in Catterick. He reunited with Walliams for the spoof documentary series Rock Profiles, before creating the radio show Little Britain, which moved to TV in 2003; they also created Come Fly With Me in 2010. Lucas has enjoyed success on the stage in a number of production and popped up in Casanova, The Wind in the Willows, Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland and Bridesmaids. He also fronts BBC One comedy show The Matt Lucas Awards.

Quote: 'People do recognise me, but they usually think I am Mark Lamarr. Sometimes people tell me loudly in public that I was the Tango man, too.'

Trivia: Matt signed up for a three-month stint in West End musical Les Miserables in 2011 following his role in its 25th anniversary show in October 2010.

Phil Davis (Narrator)

Born: July 30, 1953 in Grays, Essex

Best Known For: Bleak House.

Early-life: Born Philip Davis on 30 July, 1953, in Grays, Essex. His father worked in the local soap factory; his mother was a hospital cleaner. He enjoyed three seasons at the National Youth Theatre in his mid-teens, then landed a part in Barrie Keefe's play Gotcha about troubled teens, which later transitioned to TV, and he came to the attention of casting directors. He was then cast in cult film Quadrophenia.

Career: Davis's career took off and he played a huge range of roles throughout the 1980s and 90s. He was Prince John in the TV series Robin of Sherwood. He also took on Hollywood roles, starring in The Bounty, alongside Mel Gibson. In 2004 came Davis's much acclaimed performance in Vera Drake, the Oscar-nominated Mike Leigh film. He gained massive praise for his performance, and won the Best Actor award at the British Independent Film Awards. TV roles have included major hits like Inspector Morse, Bleak House, Fields of Gold, Sherlock, North Square, Rose and Malony, White Teeth, Doctor Who and Beau Brummell, and he is also an accomplished director.

Quote: 'I just do it. It's like asking a painter about painting. They dip the brush and put it on the canvas. All I know is that if something isn't brilliant, there's no reason that you can't deliver it to the best of your ability.'

Trivia: In 1980, Davis had a brief spell as a music artist when he recorded the song Blown It for Elton John's The Rocket Record Company.

Edmund Moriarty (Director)

Kathryn Ellinger (Director)

Sarah Feltes (Series editor)

Colette Flight (Executive producer)