Bruce Forsyth is returning to the generation game to trace his family tree on TV - and faces claims his ancestor was a bigamist.

The Strictly Come Dancing host was today unveiled as one of the subjects for the next series of BBC1's Who Do You Think You Are?.

Tracing his roots: Bruce Forsyth will journey back in time

During filming of the show, veteran entertainer Forsyth is shaken by a bombshell letter suggesting his great grandfather Joseph Forsyth Johnson had been in a bigamous marriage.

During the hit genealogy programme, he will explore whether there is any truth in the claims about his relative, who was an eminent landscape gardener.

Johnson designed a number of estates in the UK and curated Belfast's Royal Botanic Gardens before creating a number of gardens in the US, including the refurbishment of Brooklyn's Prospect Park.

Forsyth came from a line of horticultural figures, including his relative William Forsyth who gave his name to the shrub forsythia.
Programme makers were keeping tight-lipped about the former Generation Game host's findings for the documentary.

The nine-part series - which drew more than six and half million viewers on its last run - will also feature Rupert Everett, Jason Donovan and Monty Don.

Provoked by the recent death of his father, Hollywood star Everett uses the series to uncover the truth behind a family mystery. The BBC revealed that he meets a previously unknown relative "in the most unexpected place".

Who Do You Think You Are? also includes its first married couple, actors Rupert Penry-Jones and Dervla Kirwan.

Kirwan uncovers her family's IRA link through her great great uncle Michael Collins, the Irish revolutionary who helped to establish the Irish Free State in the 1920s. His life inspired a film starring Liam Neeson.

Also taking part in the new series are comedy actor Alexander Armstrong, Broadway star Alan Cumming and Holby City actor Hugh Quarshie.

Executive producer of the show Maxine Watson said: "The new series of Who Do You Think You Are? promises to be as surprising and compelling as ever, for audiences and our celebrities alike, and we're delighted to be able to give the series such an extended run in the TV schedule."