Who Do You Think You Are? continues tonight with acting legend Dame Judi Dench delving into her family's history. 

The popular BBC show returned for its 18th series last week when comedian Josh Widdicombe discovered he was descended from British and French royalty.

Viewers were left gobsmacked after the comic uncovered his family had connections to multiple British monarchs.

This week, Dame Judi Dench, is the next famous face to be tracing her family lineage.

The mulit-award winning actress will begin her search by looking into her father's (Reginald Dench) experiences during the First World War and how he earned his medals.

Her father was decorated for gallantry during the war but it is the story of how his knee injury saved his life several times during the fighting that  caught the attention of Radio Times reviewer, Jane Rackam.

Rackam says that Judi's investigations then take an "epic turn" when she discovers links to 16th-century Denmark and even a connection with nobility.

Judi has distant Danish links through her mother's side.

When she heard the news, she said indignantly: “Well, they [her family] kept that very quiet!”

Judi's Shakespeare connection

As excited as she was about her Danish roots, it is her links to the Bard himself that brings a tear to her eye.

The English actress has performed in multiple Shakespeare throughout the duration of her career, including as Ophelia in Hamlet, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth.

Judi is also considered one of the most significant theatre performers and members of the National Theatre Company and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

She was even awarded an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in the 1999 romantic period comedy drama Shakespare In Love.

Full Line up of Who Do You Think Are?

  • Josh Widdicombe
  • Judi Dench
  • Alex Scott
  • Ed Balls
  • Pixie Lott
  • Joe Lycett
  • Joe Sugg

Series 18 of Who Do You Think You Are? continues with Dame Judi Dench tonight on BBC One at 9pm.