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Emily Atack has showbiz genes 鈥� Paul McCartney is her grandma鈥檚 cousin! Delving into her family tree reveals a rich musical heritage, a famous whistling aunt and a tragic accident.

Comedian and actor Emily Atack knows she is from a long line of larger-than-life entertainers. Her mum is singer, actor and comedian Kate Robbins and Paul McCartney is Emily鈥檚 grandmother鈥檚 cousin, making him Emily鈥檚 first cousin twice removed. Recalling fun days out with the McCartney family when she was little and how Grandad Mike turned every opportunity into a comedy show, Emily sets out to find out more about her showbiz genes.

On her mum鈥檚 side, Emily discovers how her grandparents Mike and Betty both worked at Butlin鈥檚 in the 50s 鈥� where Betty won a beauty contest. Both became Redcoats, entertaining thousands of guests every summer with music and comedy 鈥� the perfect outlet for Emily鈥檚 talented grandparents.

Emily is astonished to read a family letter to her grandad from a teenage Paul McCartney, telling him about his new band and looking for showbiz advice. A visit to Uncle Mike, Paul鈥檚 brother, reveals even more entertaining stories about the McCartney family.

Inspired by the amazing McCartney musical tales, there鈥檚 only one place it makes sense to visit 鈥� Liverpool. While there, Emily discovers that her family鈥檚 musical roots go all the way back to the brass bands of industrial Britain.

Following on from her musical discoveries in Liverpool, Emily then heads to Wrexham to find out more about her great-grandfather Ted Robbins鈥檚 involvement in the town鈥檚 football club. She soon learns he played a greater part in Welsh football than she had originally anticipated, and that he was considered a hero to Welsh football fans.

Emily鈥檚 dad鈥檚 family line reveals even more showbiz glamour 鈥� her glamorous great-aunt Doreen Atack commanded huge audiences as a theatrical whistler. But before Emily鈥檚 ancestors developed their skills as entertainers, like so many living in northern towns, they worked in the mines.

By following the family line up to Wakefield, Emily uncovers why her great-grandfather Bill fought so hard to get his family away from the pits. At Nostell in Yorkshire, Emily discovers a story of hardship, dangerous working conditions and struggles with mental health. The lives of her great-great-grandparents Joseph and Emily Atack still resonate with Emily over 130 years later.

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58 minutes

Audio described

Last on

Wed 12 Jul 2023 23:40

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Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Emily Atack
Narrator Phil Davis
Executive Producer Colette Flight
Series Producer Sarah Feltes
Director Noa Snowdon

Broadcasts

  • Thu 6 Jul 2023 21:00
  • Wed 12 Jul 2023 22:40
  • Wed 12 Jul 2023 23:10
  • Wed 12 Jul 2023 23:40

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