Actress Patsy Kensit Upset by Family History

The new series of the popular British genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are? will begin August 13 with the family history of Patsy Kensit, who was reportedly so upset by what she learned that she quit the show and had to be convinced to come back and complete the filming. The actress, who starred opposite Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon 2, and now plays gregarious nurse, Faye Morton, in the BBC's Holby City, already knew that her father had been imprisoned, but was livid to learn that her paternal grandfather had also spent many years in prison, causing him to be absent for most of her father's childhood. "It hit me so hard, I stopped washing my hair and wearing make-up," she told BBC.

Patsy did go back and complete the filming and discovered a story of contrasts in her past - learning about an ancestor who dedicated his life as a curate to helping the poor in early 19th-century Bethnal Green, the same area where Patsy's father began his life of crime. According to the BBC, she learns from the vicar that her ancestor's work was "so valuable" that they are going to write a book about him. "That was the moment I stopped eating burgers and washing my hair!" she said.

The rest of the upcoming season of BBC's Who Do You Think You Are? (which is on only in Britain) features celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott, model Jodie Kidd, actor David Suchet, and veteran broadcaster, Jerry Springer, among others.

Patsy Kensit
Wednesday, August 13

Boris Johnson
Wednesday, August 20

Jerry Springer
Wednesday, August 27

Esther Rantzen
Wednesday, September 3

David Suchet
Wednesday, September 10

Ainsley Harriott
Wednesday, September 17

Jodie Kidd
Wednesday, September 24

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
Wednesday, October 1