Dame Judi Dench, Pixie Lott, Joe Lycett, Alex Scott and Josh Widdicombe among stars set to take part in a new series of Who Do You Think You Are?

The popular genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are? returns to BBC this October, and the full line-up of those taking part in the seven episode series is: Ed Balls, Dame Judi Dench, Pixie Lott, Joe Lycett, Alex Scott, Joe Sugg and Josh Widdicombe.

The full details are in the BBC announcement, but we’ve singled out a few of the celebrities for closer attention (we’ll be watching the whole series, of course.)

Dame Judi Dench

Judi seizes the chance to find out about her forebears in Who Do You Think You Are? starting with her father, Reginald — who never spoke of his experiences during the First World War. Travelling further into her family history, Judi’s investigations lead her to Denmark and nobility, where to her delight she discovers some incredible Shakespearean links.

Ed Balls

At first, it looks like Ed Balls will uncover an heroic story when he looks into the life of an assistant ship’s surgeon, but the grim reality isn’t quite what he was hoping for. However, he uncovers a more inspiring story when investigating the life of an ancestor who lived through the agricultural depression of the 1820s.

Alex Scott

Alex Scott explores the Jewish ancestry on her mother’s side and learns that her great grandad faced down fascism in London’s East End in 1936. She travels to Jamaica to uncover history on the other side of the family and learns of tremendous hardship and suffering, as well as some uncomfortable and upsetting history.

The other celebrities all have equally interesting stories (check the announcement) and we’re looking forward to seeing this, starting in October. Six previous series are still on iPlayer if you’d like to get in the mood for the next one.