Who Do You Think You Are? - Olly Murs - 10:00 pm Wednesday, August 5 on Really

About this Broadcast

Olly Murs
Season 21, Episode 6

Though from Essex, Olly Murs is actually a quarter-Latvian. His late grandfather Eddie was from Latvia, but Olly knows very little about this side of the family and wants to find out more. The singer travels to the circus in Riga, where his great-grandfather Eduard worked. Olly meets the circus's archivist Elvira Avota, who shows him documents relating to his great-grandfather and his wife Katrine and their extraordinary double act. At the Latvian State Archives, historian Daina Bleiere shows him documents that relate to his great-grandmother. Olly discovers that in 1951 Veronika was put on trial, accused of making 'anti-Soviet' statements

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Education/Science/Factual Topics Family And Friends History

Did You Know..

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.

Olly Murs (Contributor)

Born: May 14, 1984 in Witham, Essex

Best Known For: Being a singer and a TV presenter.

Early-life: Oliver Stanley Murs was born in Witham, Essex, on May 14, 1984 to Vicky-Lynn and Pete. He has a twin brother, Ben, and a sister Fay. He played football semi-professionally for Witham Town between 2006 and 2008. He went on to work as a recruitment consultant at Prime Appointments in Witham, and performed in a covers band called the Small Town Blaggers. In 2008, he backpacked alone along the east coast of Australia for three months. On his return, he decided to audition again for The X Factor - he had failed to get onto the show on two previous attempts. It proved to be third time lucky.

Career: In 2009, Murs sailed through the audition process on The X Factor and made it through to the live part of the competition. He would go on to sing a duet with his idol Robbie Williams in the final, but he lost out to eventual winner Joe McElderry. Murs signed a record deal and released his first single, Please Don't Let Me Go, in August 2010. It entered the UK singles chart at number one. His self-titled debut album came out in November 2010 and sold more than 108,000 copies in its first week. Murs continues to release new music and he has also established himself as a TV presenter, co-hosting The Xtra Factor and The X Factor.

Quote: 'If critics don't like me that's fine.'

Trivia: In 2007, Murs appeared on the game show Deal or No Deal and won £10.