Comedian Joe Lycett is the next famous face to grace our screens on BBC's Who Do You Think You Are?

The popular BBC show has returned for its 18th series and has already featured the likes of Dame Judi Dench and the comedian Josh Widdicombe. 

Last week, we avidly watched the One Show presenter and former footballer Alex Scott as she traced her family history.

The BBC presenter visited Jamaica for the first time to better understand the lives of her Jamaican grandparents who emigrated to the UK as part of the Windrush generation.

In tonight's episode, we join the former Sewing Bee presenter as attempts to learn more about his family lineage.

When the presenter started his journey he joked: “My guess is I come from a long line of gorgeous boys."

This was before he revealed that he hoped to find some anti-establishment characters and maybe a few “odd fish” in his family tree. 

Joe Lycett explores dark family history

Like many Who Do You Think You Are? participants, Joe did not expect that his family history journey would take her far from his Manchester or Nottingham roots.

Joe starts his investigation in Nottingham with his Edwardian two-times great-grandad Robert Wilkinson who was a member of the fraternal Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) organisation.

The group, known as the 'Buffs' was established in 1822 and was created as an imitation of freemasonry.

While his search started in Nottingham, Joe quickly discovered that his two-times great-grandad colourful life took him much further afield.

Robert was a boy chimney sweep in the 1850s who went on to join the Royal Marines and travel the world.

According to the Radio Times reviewer, Jane Rackam, it is Joe's response that is the most moving part of this genealogy exploration.

At first, the comedian appears quite flippant about his ancestors in general but as his investigation uncovers more details, Joe becomes "absorbed in the stories about Robert’s life and makes such a real connection to him".

This is until he abruptly realises that Robert is long gone and how the story of his two-times great grandad ends.

Full Line up of Who Do You Think Are?

Series 18 of Who Do You Think You Are? continues with Joe Lycett tonight (Tuesday, November 2) on BBC One at 9pm.