Chamber Of Secrets

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe uncovers tales of heartache in his family tree

- Caren Clark, Alison Slade

It’s nearly 20 years since Daniel Radcliffe’s life took a magical turn when he was cast as the world’s most famous wizard, Harry Potter.

Now, as the actor turns 30 on Tuesday 23 July, he delves into the past to explore his family tree in an emotional opening episode of the new series of Who Do You Think You Are?

‘I have a tight-knit family with my mum Marcia and my dad Alan,’ he says. ‘When I got the Potter films it changed our whole lives and my parents helped me get through what happened with humour and calm. So I wanted to find out if there are any parts of my ancestors that are etched in me or my parents.’

A TRAGIC LOSS Radcliffe begins by investigating his maternal great-grandfather, Samuel Gershon, who, he knows from a family story, killed himself five months after a robbery at the family jewellery business, which Samuel ran with his brother in London’s Hatton Garden.