And when Marcus Skeet, the record-breaking charity runner and mental health champion received his Special Recognition Award, he got an extra surprise. After handing Marcus his trophy, pop star Anne-Marie, and podcast duo Pete Wicks and Sam Thompson revealed Pride of Britain had launched a special GoFundMe for mental health charity Mind in Marcus’s honour.
Money raised will pay for special mental health walking and running groups all over the country called Marcus’s Movers. The groups, which include mental health practitioners, cost £2,500 to set up.
Sam and Pete kicked things off with a £5,000 donation on stage, and then Pub Landlord Al Murray took to the floor to persuade some other famous faces to chip in too.
Dragons Den tycoon Duncan Bannatyne donated £20,000, bringing the total raised on the night to £50,000, enough to fund 20 potentially lifesaving Marcus’s Movers groups. A stunned Marcus told Ashley Banjo: “From the bottom of my heart, that means the absolute world. I’m lost for words.”
Now you can help by donating to the GoFundMe to help Mind set up even more Marcus’s Movers groups in communities all over Britain. The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with P&O Cruises celebrate unsung heroes like Marcus. His own life was transformed by walking and running – the teenager went from the lowest possible ebb to becoming a record-breaking charity fundraiser and Pride of Britain winner.
He was 12 when his dad was diagnosed with early-onset dementia. Marcus’s physical and mental health rapidly declined and he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and intrusive thoughts which dramatically impacted his life.
At 15 he was in “one of the darkest places”, and attempted suicide after spending months alone in his room with no contact with the outside world. Desperate to turn his life around, Marcus, now 17, started walking short distances at first, before building up distance and speed until he was jogging longer routes. He says: “My mental health was at an all time low so I decided to run, not just for mental health but to raise awareness. Running pushed my body and mind and the feeling after a run was like nothing else.”
Since then, Marcus has raised more than £200,000 for Mind through running, including a run from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The gruelling 874 mile challenge saw him become the youngest person ever – and the first under 18 – to run the entire length of the UK.
Marcus has documented his journey on social media in the hopes of inspiring others who are struggling with their mental health. He says: “Life is brutal, sometimes you feel like you’re in a place you can’t get out of. But I promise you, every road may have speed bumps but you’ll get over them. Mental health is such a big thing, everyone is different but I find running helps mine.”
All five members of The Saturdays insisted there was no bad blood when they parted ways in 2014.
However, The Sun previously revealed that Rochelle and Frankie’s 24-year friendship may have hit the rocks.
The duo were invited to watch the tennis at Wimbledon as As guests of sponsor Evian.
Frankie Bridge posts cryptic TikTok about ‘being a people pleaser’ amid feud with Myleene Klass
They mingled with other celebrities and guests just yards away from one another in a suite.
However, they failed to actually interact with each other as they enjoyed the delights of the hydrangea building nearCourtOne.
An insider told The Sun: “It was clear the women were keeping their distance. They sat on opposite sides of the suite and kept to themselves.
“While Frankie posed for pictures with S Club’s Rachel Stevens, Rochelle took selfies with her husband Marvin and his I’m A Celebrity campmate Sam Thompson.
“Even though they were pleasant to each other when they did brush shoulders, they didn’t spend any extra time together than they had to, in between being amicable while passing each other en route to watch the tennis.”
Both of the stars were clients of her now ex-husband, who worked as a showbiz security manager.
Their continued friendship is said to have caused a rift as Myleene, 47, reportedly believes Rochelle took Graham’s side.
But they have not been seen on-screen together on the ITV show since an awkward episode last year.
At the time of the first report, representatives for Rochelle and Myleene did not reply to a request for comment.
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Frankie explained that she was prescribed meditation and relaxation her on holidayCredit: Instagram / rochellehumes
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She reportedly avoided her childhood friend and former bandmate Rochelle Humes when they were both invited to watch the tennis at WimbledonCredit: Splash
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Meanwhile, Myleene’s feud apparently stems from their friendship with her ex-husband Graham QuinnCredit: Getty
The Made in Chelsea star discovered the truth about his real name in the latest episode of ITV’s DNA Journey, which saw him team up with pal Marvin Humes
22:55, 26 Jun 2025Updated 22:56, 26 Jun 2025
Sam Thompson found out that his family name is fake
Sam Thompson has been left gobsmacked after a family history exploration on ITV’s ‘DNA Journey’ presented him with a surprising revelation about his name, only to discover it wasn’t quite true.
Joining Marvin Humes on the popular ancestry show ‘DNA Journey’, the presenter and reality TV favourite set out to trace his lineage, uncovering some unexpected tales along the way.
Starting off in sunny Jamaica, Marvin uncovered moving stories about his ancestors’ migration to Britain, while he was stunned to learn that his mate Sam had no clue about his own family’s past.
Feeling rather sheepish, the ex-‘Made In Chelsea’ star confessed: “I really don’t know why I haven’t asked,” as he mused over the potential awkwardness brought by the show’s posh image. “When you grow up with – I was on a show called Made in Chelsea, it’s the posh thing. You almost don’t want to know because you almost feel a bit bad.”
He also revealed that Thompson isn’t his full surname. The family name is actually De Courcy Thompson and the former Made in Chelsea star explained the decision to drop part of it, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Sam Thompson and Marvin Humes appeared on ITV show DNA Journey,on Thursday (June 26) night (Image: ITV)
Sam, 32, candidly expressed his views on having a hard-to-spell name and feeling pretentious, cheekily remarking: “We have a signet ring!”.
Upon uncovering family history, Marvin flipped the script, cautioning Sam with a mixture of jest and solemnity: “It can’t be as nice and fluffy and unicorns and rainbows as it’s been in Jamaica, and I’m sorry to say it, but it’s looking like it’s going to be you.”
Alarm flickered across Sam’s face when learning about his ancestor Charles Thompson’s stint in Jamaica in 1815, while Marvin played up the tension, saying: “This is going to get deep.”
As historical connections were drawn, Sam anxiously responded: “That doesn’t sound good. That sounds really bad.”
Sam and Marvin went on their DNA Journey together(Image: ITV)
But, to Sam’s delight, the true legacy of Charles Thompson unfolded; he was not what Sam feared but rather a notable figure in defeating Napoleon at Waterloo. An elated Sam exclaimed: “Oh my god, I’m so happy! Oh, you really scared me! You were all thinking it…”
The revelation continued that it was Charles’ son Lesley who crafted the De Courcy surname for his own son Sydney, giving the family a veneer of distinction.
Sam laughed as he said: “We faked it and I’m over the moon. I’ve got a signet ring and it doesn’t mean anything. We just gave it to ourselves. It’s like those people who buy a knighthood just to call themselves sir or lady. That’s us!”
In the final episode of ITV’s DNA Journey, best friends Marvin Humes and Sam Thompson make some revealing discoveries…
Sam Thompson and Marvin Humes on ITV’s DNA Journey(Image: ITV)
Marvin Humes discovers his ancestor had a secret second family while his best mate Sam Thompson finds out that his ‘posh’ background is completely fake, in a revelatory episode of DNA Journey.
Close friends since meeting in the jungle on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! two years ago, the loveable pair of presenters are shocked by the discoveries on the ITV hit ancestry show, airing on Thursday. They begin in Jamaica, where Marvin also finds out that he owes his life to a strong woman who made a massive sacrifice. Marvin says: “I’ve got a rich heritage of culture from Jamaica in my family. My grandparents were both born here. My Grandma Ruby and Grandpa Randall moved to the UK when they had just got married. We would eat fish and dumplings and Saturday soup.”
In Jamaica, Marvin finds out that his Great Grandma Blanche was not actually married to his Great Grandfather David James. They had four children, but immediately after the fourth, Marvin’s Grandma Ruby, was born in 1930, David James left. Historian Diane tells Marvin: “A soon as Ruby was born, David James left for a family he had concurrently along with Blanche.” Marvin says: “I know that on my Grandfather Randall’s side, his father did the same thing. His mum ended up in a mental hospital in Jamaica, called Bellevue, where she died.”
Marvin and Sam begin their journey in Jamaica(Image: ITV)
Blanche, however, was not broken. She went into domestic service and worked hard, then stood at the pier at Kingston Harbour in 1958 and waved off Ruby and her husband Randall so they could find a new life in the UK as part of the Windrush generation. Ruby and Randall couldn’t afford the fare for their three children, so Blanche stepped up to care for them, and went back to work to save up the money to send them to Britain. She knew when she waved goodbye to her daughter in 1958, as she set sail to join Randall who left first, that she’d never see her again.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Marvin says: “I can only think of myself as a parent, it’s heartbreaking to think she’d never see her again. Without this happening in 1958, I wouldn’t be standing here today. She’s the reason. All my family back home in England, we all owe everything to her, for that sacrifice she made on this pier.”
Meanwhile, Sam flies into a panic when he is told he has an ancestor who spent time in Jamaica. “It doesn’t sounds good, don’t say it..” he says. However, he is relieved to learn there is no slavery connection. Charles Thompson, his four times Great Grandfather, a Lieutenant Colonel, was posted in Jamaica before being called to Europe where he played a vital role in the downfall of Napoleon in the Battle of Waterloo. “Oh my God, I’m so happy, you really scared me, we were all thinking it,” says Sam.
Marvin and Sam have been best mates since meeting on I’m A Celebrity(Image: ITV)
Sam is told that Charles, who was in the 27th (Inniskilling) Foot Regiment, an Irish regiment in the British Army, also took a collection from his regiment of soldiers, donating the equivalent of £5,000 to help starving people. “He was a philanthropist, I’m so proud,” says Sam. “He was a total hero.” Sam also discovers a cousin match in Limavady, Northern Ireland, who happens to live in a massive stately home. “This is mental,” says Marvin. “I feel like we’ve turned up at Buckingham Palace, the Irish version.”
Sam’s long lost cousin, Connolly Patrick McCausland, explains their common ancestor was land agent Robert McCausland, who owned the stately home and also once owned 110 acres of Woolwich, London, where Marvin grew up. “We’re so connected!” says the Made In Chelsea star, adding: “If I ever get married, I’m getting married here.”
Meanwhile, with a castle up the road in Northern Ireland built by a John De Courcy, Sam is wondering if this is also his ancestor – since his surname is actually De Courcy Thompson. Sam explains: “I dropped ‘De Courcy’. One, hard to spell. And two, you sound like a bit of a douche.” But it turns out that Sam is not remotely connected to the famous John De Courcy.
Charles’s son Lesley made up the name De Courcy, giving it to his third son Sydney to improve their social standing. Sam laughs: “We faked it and I’m over the moon. I’ve got a signet ring and it doesn’t mean anything. We just gave it to ourselves. It’s like those people who buy a knighthood just to call themselves sir or lady. That’s us!”
*DNA Journey concludes on Thursday 26 June, ITV at 9pm.
The two men were both due to take part in Soccer Aid tomorrow, but it was revealed exclusively by The Sun yesterday that the I’m A Celeb champ had pull out due to injury.
However, before Sam was forced to quit, he was he was pictured training with Louis this week at Soccer Aid HQ in Tring, Herts, where the England and Rest of the World teams have been preparing for the match.
read more on Sam Thompson
After looking at the pictures in detail, a body language expert believes that Louis displayed a “playground mentality” towards Sam on the pitch.
Expert Judi James said that while Sam was smiling and happy, and get along with the other players, One Direction star Louis seemed “glum” and “separate”.
She told The Mail: ‘There seems to be more of a playground dynamic growing from the body language here.
“Sam seems to be very much part of the core group, sitting central and being the center of their attention while Louis walks by looking glum at times and rather peripheral to the social interaction.
“As the guys club around Sam, who looks deep in the discussion, Louis seems to glance over with a rather hard-looking stare.
“His eye direction might not be exclusively aimed at Sam, but he does seem to be checking the group out with an unsmiling facial expression.”
Louis Tomlinson admits feeling nervous ahead of Soccer Aid as Zara’s ex Sam Thompson awkwardly hovers behind him
Continuing she said: “When the two men meet on the pitch there is an unsmiling, reflective-looking gaze from Louis.
“This shouldn’t be over-dramatized into any form of specifically directed ‘hard stare’ as his eye direction does not seem to be aimed directly at Sam, but there could be seen to be a hint of some kind of ‘atmosphere’ brewing here.
“With his hands on his hips, Louis does look really down and perhaps rather uncomfortable.”
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The expert said that Louis appeared to ‘distance’ himself from his other team matesCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
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Sam pulled out of Soccer Aid yesterdayCredit: PA
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Sam completed his Match Ball Mission for Soccer Aid Unicef, running and cycling from Stamford Bridge in London to Old Trafford in ManchesterCredit: Splash
Another summer of love begins, with Maya Jama reprising the helm of Love Island on ITV2 this week. Over on the BBC, however, another fan-favourite show is set for its own comeback.
From the box to streaming giants, plenty of shows for every taste are set for release this week(Image: ITV)
From gripping dramas and explosive rows to enlightening and thought-provoking shows, this week of TV is sure to pander to everyone.
Presenter Maya Jama is returning to screens this Monday, June 9, as she reprises hosting duties on ITV2‘s Love Island. Expect bombshells and surprises pairings ahead.
Streaming platforms also have plenty of choices this week, including Sir David Attenborough‘s love letter to the sea and Netflix‘s deep dive in Astroworld – the festival that spiralled out of control in 2021, triggering backlash against rap star Travis Scott.
Charlotte Spencer (right) and Hugh Bonneville reprise their roles in The Gold’s second season(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Tannadice Pictures/Cristina Ríos Bordón)
Hugh Bonneville and Charlotte Spencer team up as DCS Brian Boyce and DI Nicki Jennings for The Gold’s second season as their characters deal with the aftermath of the Brink’s-Mat robbery, in which £26 million worth of gold bullion, diamonds and cash were stolen from a warehouse.
Though some of the thieves were convicted, Brian and Nicki realise the criminals only had half of the stolen goods. The discovery triggers a high-stakes journey into organised crime and international money laundering as the police embark on a string of desperate manhunts to finally close the longest and most expensive investigation in the history of the Metropolitan Police.
Our Yorkshire Shop: A Victorian Restoration
Sunday, C4
This series takes viewers to the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, in the picturesque village of Masham – where a determined group of locals take on the ambitious challenge of restoring their village shop to its former Victorian glory.
With no previous experience in building restoration, villagers roll up their sleeves and learn on the job – from line plastering to fending off animal infestations.
Motivated by 94-year-old Elsie, their emotional anchor, the group are guided both in spirit and style, delivering a heartwarming celebration of local heritage.
Sir David Attenborough raises the alarm bell for our oceans (Image: Conor McDonnell)
Through stunning visuals and groundbreaking underwater footage, this film exposes destructive practices like bottom trawling and emphasises the urgent need for marine conservation.
Released ahead of the UN Ocean Conference, Ocean serves as a wake-up call and David’s most personal message yet. And it’s already become the highest-grossing film in the UK and Irish box-office, earning £570,000 on its opening weekend in cinemas.
Jamie Oliver shines a light on the real impact of education on neurodivergent children(Image: Jamie Oliver Productions)
Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution
Monday, C4
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver shares his personal journey with dyslexia in this compelling documentary as he takes a stand for neurodivergent children.
Highlighting the challenges faced by thousands of children with dyslexia in the UK, Jamie fiercely advocates for a more inclusive and supportive education system.
Through interviews with experts, educators, families and even familiar celebrity faces, the film sheds light on systemic issues affecting dyslexic children and calls for meaningful change to help them thrive academically and beyond.
Beth
Monday, C4
Written and directed by photographer and budding filmmaker Uzo Oleh, this tense three-part science-fiction thriller is Channel 4’s first-ever digital original drama.
Nicholas Pinnock and Abbey Lee star as Joe and Molly – a couple whose lives are upended when their newborn daughter, Imogen, bears no resemblance to her father.
What begins as a domestic drama spirals into paranoia, identity crises and eerie revelations as Joe’s world starts to unravel. Through their story, this hard-hitting show explores mistrust, modern parenthood and the fear that something has gone horribly wrong.
Maya Jama reprises hosting duties on Love Island(Image: ITV)
Maya Jama returns to host the twelfth season of the iconic ITV2 dating show, promising more drama, more bombshells, plenty of break-ups and even more make-ups in celebration of its tenth anniversary on screens.
Set at the iconic sun-soaked Mallorca villa, a fresh batch of singletons embark on a quest for love and a jaw-dropping £50k cash prize. Expect twists, turns, unexpected pairings and shock dumpings, cryptic Love Island lingo and more Casa Amor turmoil. Which couple will tackle the journey hand-in-hand? And who will call it quits?
Sean Bean stars as Thomas Cromwell in Shardlake(Image: Adrienn Szabo)
Shardlake
Monday, ITV
C.J. Samsom’s Tudor mystery novels come alive in this gripping four-part series. Arthur Hughes (The Innocents, The Archers) stars as brilliant barrister Matthew Shardlake, dispatched by Thomas Cromwell (Sean Bean) to investigate a murder at a remote monastery.
As secrets unravel, Matthew and his companion Jack Barak (Anthony Boyle) navigate an intricate web of lies and political intrigue – but can Matthew really trust his companion? With atmospheric settings and compelling performances, this period drama offers a fresh take on historical crime storytelling.
Peter Wright follows Britain’s longest-standing farmers on his new show(Image: Channel 5)
The Yorkshire Vet: At Home With the Greens
Tuesday, Channel 5
Yorkshire Vet star Peter Wright offers a heartwarming new glimpse into the lives of fan favourites Steve and Jean Green, known as Britain’s longest-standing farmers.
This spin-off series invites viewers beyond the surgery and into the farm, where the couple balance rural life with their passion for animals.
Expect tender moments, behind-the-scenes insights and the same down-to-earth charm that made the original series a staple for animal lovers across the UK.
This harrowing documentary revisits the 2021 Astroworld Festival disaster, where a crowd surge led to ten deaths and numerous injuries during a Texas-based festival launched by US rap star Travis Scott.
Through exclusive interviews with survivors, paramedics and festival staff, the film examines the events leading up to the tragedy and its aftermath. It delves into questions of accountability, safety protocols and the impact on the victims’ families, providing a sobering look at one of the most devastating concert incidents in recent history.
Speed Cameras: Out to Get Us?
Wednesday, C5
This investigative documentary explores the proliferation of speed cameras across the UK. Traveling from Nottinghamshire to Wales, it examines whether these devices are genuine safety tools or revenue-generating machines.
Featuring insights from traffic officers, drivers and the pioneer who introduced speed cameras to Britain’s roads in 1990, the programme questions their effectiveness and future. It’s a wild ride through Britain – but with less potholes.
What really happened on British Airways Flight 149?(Image: Alamy Stock Photo)
Flight 149: Hostage of War
Wednesday, Sky Documentaries & NOW
This gripping documentary uncovers the shocking truth behind British Airways Flight 149, which landed in Kuwait mere hours before Iraq’s 1990 invasion. What really happened to the passengers and crew held hostage by Saddam Hussein’s forces?
With first-hand testimonies, classified documents and a decades-long silence finally broken, this film lays bare a chilling and unflinching tale of government secrets, human endurance and political betrayal. It’s a must-watch for fans of true stories where the stakes are life and death – and the answers still sting.
Sam Thompson and Marvin Humes uncover their long-lost ancestors on ITV(Image: ITV)
DNA Journey with Ancestry
Thursday, ITV
The hit ITV series, DNA Journey returns for a gripping fifth season. This time round, new celebrity duos set off on an emotional journey across history, uncovering jaw-dropping family secrets and unexpected connections.
In this immersive documentary series, Love Island alum Olivia Attwood investigates the lengths individuals go to achieve physical perfection in today’s image-obsessed society.
Drawing from her own experiences with cosmetic procedures, Olivia explores the booming beauty industry, meeting people who have undergone extreme transformations and embedding herself with patients and practitioners to try some of them out herself – including salmon sperm injections.
The series delves into the true psychological and physical costs of chasing perfection, offering a candid look at the intense pressures stemming from modern beauty standards.
Sally Bretton and Lee Mack are back for a new series of Not Going Out, kicking off the latest season with a six-year time jump(Image: BBC/Avalon/Perou)
Not Going Out
Friday, BBC1
Lee Mack’s long-running sitcom returns for its 14th series, continuing to deliver laughs with witty dialogue and relatable scenarios. The show follows the misadventures of Lee and his wife Lucy (Sally Bretton) as they navigate the challenges of family life.
With a time jump moving the story six years ahead, the couple adjust to a new home in the countryside while their children are away at university. The series remains a staple of British comedy, combining sharp humour with heartwarming moments.
