On the latest episode of the popular BBC One genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are?, British singer Olly Murs embarked on a deeply personal journey to uncover the history of his grandfather, Eduards ‘Eddie’ Murs. The episode, which aired on September 19, 2024, provided Murs and viewers alike with an emotional exploration of his Latvian ancestry, filled with unexpected revelations and poignant moments.
Olly’s quest to learn more about his family history took him to Latvia, where he traced the life of his grandfather, Eddie, who left the Baltic country for Essex as a teenager in the late 1940s. Murs revealed that, while he always knew his grandfather was Latvian, Eddie had been “quiet” about his childhood and upbringing, leaving many unanswered questions about their heritage.
With the help of historical records and expert insights, Murs was able to delve into the lives of his great-grandparents, Veronika and Eduards Murs, who led an extraordinary life as circus performers in the early 1930s. Veronika, Olly’s great-grandmother, was a trapeze artist, while Eduards performed a unique double act, balancing atop a ladder while playing musical instruments. Murs expressed pride in discovering these details, saying, “To be here where my great-granddad Eduards used to perform feels amazing. It feels like we’ve connected in a way.”
However, the star was confronted with some challenging truths as well. Olly learned that his grandfather, Eddie, was born as a result of an affair between Eduards and Veronika, a revelation that left the singer conflicted. “He wasn’t the most loyal husband, so that for me is a bit of a hard one to get my head around,” Murs admitted during the episode.
The emotional journey didn’t end there. Murs learned that his grandfather had experienced significant trauma in his youth. In 1944, at the age of 12, Eddie was sent to Germany by his mother, Veronika, to escape the Soviet occupation of Latvia. Tragically, Eddie never saw his mother again, a loss that would haunt him throughout his life. Veronika was later imprisoned in a Soviet labour camp for five years due to political charges and, upon her release, made numerous attempts to contact her son through Latvian newspapers and letters. Eddie, however, chose not to respond.
Murs was visibly moved as he visited Veronika’s unmarked grave in Latvia, reflecting on her tragic fate. In an emotional moment, he video-called his father, Pete Murs, to share the discovery. Pete remarked, “It’s very emotional. I know my dad would have loved to have found her grave, and probably say sorry for not answering those letters.”
Summing up his experience, Murs reflected on the impact of his journey: “I’ve learned so much about my family history, how and why it’s shaped me to the person I am today. I feel really proud to be a Murs.”
Murs’ episode of Who Do You Think You Are? resonated with viewers, many of whom shared their reactions online. One viewer commented, “What a powerful and sad story… A terrible period of history for the Baltic states, and a sad account of misunderstanding, hurt, and missed opportunities.”
For family history enthusiasts, Olly Murs’ journey serves as a reminder of the complexities of tracing ancestral stories and the emotional discoveries that can emerge from exploring one’s genealogy.
The episode is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Image Source:
- Who-Do-You-Think-You-Are: Who Do You Think You Are?: BBC
