Celebrity genealogy series. Actor Brian Blessed has always loved his unusual name - but has no idea where his Blessed ancestors came from.

Actor Brian Blessed has always loved his unusual name - but has no idea where his Blessed ancestors came from.

Born in Yorkshire he'd always assumed his family were northerners, but digging deeper Brian discovers that his roots lie down south. Here he uncovers the story of his great-great-grandfather Jabez Blessed - a tale of hardship, struggle and survival worthy of Oliver Twist.