Will Young Discovers He’s Related to King Edward I as He Tears Up Over His Late Grandfather

Will Young has revealed that he’s a distant relative of British royalty.

The Pop Idol star, 46, was left stunned by the discovery, which features in an upcoming episode of Who Do You Think You Are?.

In the episode, Will learns that Edward I is his 20 times great grandfather, with the monarch ruling from 1272 to 1307.

After discovering the royal link, Will says: ‘No? Edward the First! No? You are joking? You have made it up. That’s unbelievable. This is just amazing. 

‘I cannot believe it. It is wonderful. Being related to a king, will it change my behaviour? I mean the short answer is Yes. 

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Will Young has revealed that he’s a distant relative of British royalty, after learning about his heritage in an upcoming episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

In the episode, Will learns that Edward I is his 20 times great grandfather, with the monarch ruling from 1272 to 1307

‘What you are beholding is essentially a future despot. You see Mr Nice Guy. Now get ready for Mr Nasty.’ 

The royal link is revealed at the very end of the episode, which sees Will learn about his 18 times great grandfather was Hugh Le Despenser, considered one of the most prominent political figures of the 14th Century.

Hugh and his wife Eleanor de Clare were nobles during Edward II’s reign, with the latters mother being Joan of Acre, The Countess of Hertford and Gloucester. 

Joan’s parents were King Edward I and his first wife Eleanor of Castile, making Eleanor de Clare the granddaughter of King Edward I. 

Hugh became a key political figure in the King’s Court, and in 1318 he was appointed the King’s Chamberlain, becoming known for his evil and greedy reputation.

After England was invaded in 1326, Hugh was captured and beheaded.

Will said: ‘I don’t think he deserves it from me but I might offer up an apology to the people that he harmed. 

‘So I have an 18 times great grandfather and I didn’t know I was related to him and he is so well known in late medieval history as being an evil person.

During the episode, Will, who rose to fame on Pop Idol (pictured) also learns about his more recent family history, including his grandfather

‘He changed the shape and direction of the country during his time. I suppose that counts for something. At least he made his mark. 

‘I have learned about a man who has done horrific things in his life yet through his wife’s connections in her family, they are kind of erasing history in a way like.. yeah it’s alright you can still have a tomb. It is almost propaganda isn’t it?’

During the episode, Will also learns about his more recent family history, including his late grandfather.

Digby Young became a prisoner of war during the Second World War, but knew little else about his life as he passed away before Will was born.

Will discovers that Digby, a bomber pilot, was hit by fire and suffered engine failure, survived and was taken as a prisoner to the Luftwaffe-run camp, in Poland.

After the war ended, the British servicement marched through the winter, with Digby using ‘alcohol and a few kitchen knives’ to amputate a Nazi soldier’s leg when they developed frostbite, according to a fellow Prison of War’s account.

Will breaks down in tears as he reflected on his grandfather’s life, saying: ‘There is a sadness that comes with it, is that I think he was perceived as a bit of a loser after the war, by some of the family, this is the proper telling of a really decent man.’

‘An extraordinary man, I don’t think has passed down to me through my father, and hasn’t for my father.’

‘So this means so much to me and my dad, sorry, I feel quite emotional about it.’

Will went onto reveal that he has had a tattoo of plane and Digby’s squadron number to remember him. 

Will’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? airs on June 3 on BBC One at 9pm

It comes after Will revealed he is ‘enjoying dating again’ and has ‘rediscovered his libido’ during an intimate chat on Jamie Laing’s Great Company Podcast.

The Pop Idol star who came out as gay publicly in 2002 age 23 at the time, said he was always afraid of falling in love again, in case he got his heart broken.

But the hitmaker has now shared he is ‘met someone really nice’ and is having fun ‘opening his heart’ up again.

Will – who just released his ninth album Light It Up – said: ‘I am dating someone quite nice at the moment, which, by the way, is quite a new experience for me because I have a very closed heart in relationships.

‘So, [relationships] have not been a pleasure for me at all.’

‘Are you a sexual person?’, Jamie asked.

Will replied: ‘Oh I love sex, I have rediscovered it again. I had a bit of a drought but we all do. The libido is back!’

The singer also admitted he is ‘dreadful’ in relationships because of past heartbreak that has caused him to shut off.

He said: ‘Give me something to be successful at and I’ll knock it out of the park but relationships are my kryptonite because my heart has been closed.

‘I think my heart is opening, which is quite a new experience for me… which is nice at age 45. I am enjoying dating for the first time.’

Will also shared that being alone has helped him find happiness within himself, rather than staying in a ‘lonely’ relationship.

He added: ‘The real thing is, you’ve got to be happy with yourself and that has taken me a long time.

‘There’s nothing more lonely than being in the wrong relationship. That is the loneliest place in the world.’

Will’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? airs on June 3 on BBC One at 9pm.