Emotional Who Do You Think You Are viewers call Olly Murs episode the ‘saddest ever’
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BBC audiences were deeply moved during what they referred to as the "most heartbreaking" episode of Who Do You Think You Are? on Thursday, September 19.
The series showcases a famous person exploring their family history, discovering hidden truths and reconnecting with long-lost relatives.
In the latest episode, Olly Murs traveled to Latvia in search of answers. The singer of "Heart Skips a Beat," who rose to fame on The X Factor, aimed to learn more about his great-grandmother, Veronika Jankovska.
Murs shared that his grandfather last met his mother when he was only 12, and the mystery of her disappearance has influenced him throughout his life.
In this episode, the singer and TV host visited the Salamonska Circus in Riga, a place where his great-grandparents曾as circus artists. There, he learned that his great-grandfather, Eduards, had been involved in a relationship with Veronika while still married to his wife, Katrine.
As a young mother facing difficulties, Veronika had to rely on her parents to take care of her son so she could keep her job at the circus. Unfortunately, when Nazi Germany invaded their country, Eduards Jr. was forced to escape as a refugee alongside his father and wife.
Murs learned that his great-grandmother had been held in a labor camp for eight years. Veronika spent the rest of her life looking for her son, but she never managed to find him. She passed away in 1988, alone and without any family by her side, and was laid to rest in a grave without a marker.
"World War II significantly affected my family," Murs remarked. "I believe Veronika acted courageously when she chose to leave her son, fully aware that she might never reunite with him."
He went on to say, “I really wish my grandfather could have grasped the choices his mother made.”
Murs expressed that he found solace in the cemetery's picturesque environment while strolling beneath the trees.
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"I'm glad I can provide my dad with some clarity about her life," he said. "My great-grandmother went through a lot of tough times. I hope she's found peace now."
Spectators were moved to tears by the heartbreaking events.
"I just shed some tears while watching Who Do You Think You Are?" commented one viewer. "That episode was amazing, but incredibly heartbreaking. My heart goes out to that poor mother and son."
"This is one of the most heartbreaking things I've ever witnessed. My heart goes out to Veronika," commented another person, while a third added, "Olly, I'm in tears."
"I caught the episode last night, and it was definitely one of the most moving ones I've ever seen. The ending was tough to handle and really touched my heart," another fan shared on X/Twitter. "I'm happy they were able to reach some resolution."
One more person commented, “What an amazing episode. I was in tears... it touched me deeply.”
A devoted fan and frequent viewer commended the show for exploring the lives of women, stating, "This was one of the best episodes, and I've seen nearly all of them. It's uncommon for people to investigate the lives of our female ancestors."
"I'm so happy you found the answers you needed, Olly Murs! What a lovely episode," commented another viewer.
