Will Young becomes tearful after discovering grandfather was not a ‘loser'
The 46-year-old knew that Digby Young was a prisoner of war during the Second World War, after moving from Australia, but did not know many details of his life before taking part in BBC genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are?
To trace his history, he first speaks to his Aunt Wiggy who says her father died as a teenager, and remembers him as a kind man who was looked down on by some.
Later Young 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, Stalag Luft III, in German-occupied Poland.
As the war ended, the British servicemen were marched in winter, and when a Nazi guard got frostbite, Digby used 'alcohol and a few kitchen knives' for an amputation, according to a fellow PoW's account.
Young said his grandfather saving the life of his captor, makes him a 'very remarkable man', adding: '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,' he also said, breaking down.
'So this means so much to me and my dad, sorry, I feel quite emotional about it.'
Young also said he feels 'like (family) history has been a bit unkind to him, so it's nice that history is being kind'.
His grandfather escaped because the Russian head of a camp 'liked his liquor', and was bribed with a Rolex watch, and Digby was able to take off with a friend on a bike to where the American soldiers were.
After the war, he was a Squadron Leader flying jets, which Young says 'makes me really happy, because I think he really did find his vocation'.
'It's completely not how I saw him at all,' he added. 'I didn't know he went on to do any of this.'
A post shared by Will Young (@willyoungofficial)
'Now I feel like I've got another grandfather,' he added. 'I didn't feel like I had a right, really, to claim another grandfather, because I didn't know him.
'All he was was a picture and an early death, of which it was potentially quite sad circumstances. And now the picture and the death is not even part of his story.'
Later he shared that he got a tattoo of a plane and Digby's squadron number to remember him.
Young also learns from a historian that he is related to Colonel Sir Aretas William Young, who was named the protector of slaves in Guyana and was fired after a 'pretty damning' report on his prejudice, and later a governor of Prince Edward Island in Canada.
He also discovers his relation to Hugh Despenser, an adviser to King Edward II, who was executed as a traitor after greedily seizing land in South Wales, and becoming one of the richest men at the time, and Edward I.
The singer called it one of the most 'soul nourishing experiences I've ever had, I didn't expect it, my 20 times great-grandfather was Edward I, that's just bonkers, and then we move to the man, the myth, the legend, the horror that is Hugh Le Despenser, who's just an absolute monster of a man'.
Young has scored four UK number one singles and four UK number one albums since winning Pop Idol during its inaugural series in 2002.
He has authored two books about mental health and sexuality, appeared on The Masked Singer and Strictly Come Dancing and been nominated for an Olivier Award for the musical Cabaret.
Young's episode airs on June 3 on BBC One at 9pm.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
28 minutes ago
- Metro
This Is England director announces first film in 17 years
Shane Meadows, the mastermind behind indie drama This Is England, is set to release his first movie in almost two decades. The filmmaker is most famous for his work on independent projects, which include the cult film This Is England (2006) and its three sequels. The original starred Stephen Graham, Vicky McClure, and Thomas Turgoose, telling the story of a rebellious young boy who joins a group of skinheads. Meadows, 52, hasn't released a film in 17 years but is making a comeback to the silver screen in 2026, it has now been announced. The film in question is titled Chork, described by the man himself as a 'runaway road trip' movie. As if Meadows' touch wasn't enough, the film has also been co-written by his long-time collaborator Jack Thorne, with whom he created the This Is England flicks. Most recently, Thorne co-wrote three-part Netflix series Adolescence, which starred Graham, Erin Doherty, and rising star Owen Cooper, going on to break streaming records. Produced by 42 and Unified alongside Meadows' and Thorne's own production companies and funded partly by BBC Film, Chork will be released into cinemas in the UK and Ireland next year, but an exact date is yet to be confirmed. In conversation with Variety, Meadows said: 'To be returning to film after 17 years, writing alongside 'megadude' Jack Thorne again, and working with so many gifted collaborators has been an absolute privilege.' He added of the project: 'Our story follows two beyond bright, funny as heck, and mischievously ingenious young people on a 'runaway' road trip the length of this glorious isle. 'Safe to say, I'm beyond excited about what we've captured on their journey. 'I'm also hugely grateful to our partners at BBC Film, BFI, Screen Yorkshire, Hoopsa Films and Altitude for their undying trust and support throughout.' Chork was shot along the East coast from Kent through Lincolnshire and up to Scotland, with its plot set in the same location. Characters include 15-year-old Kit and 11-year-old Ani on a trek across the coastline, hoping for big things after leaving their foster home. However, with police on the lookout and a national search implemented, it's anything but a blissful holiday. As such, older child Kit must do what she can to protect Ani and achieve their end goal. Eva Yates, director of BBC Film, said: 'The films of Shane Meadows are at the heart of contemporary British independent cinema, and we are hugely excited to support his return, with a cast of exceptional new actors, his brilliant writing collaborator Jack Thorne, and an anarchic story of love, redemption, and the untapped and profound potential of youth.' Meanwhile, giving fans a taste of what to expect, Louise Ortega, senior production and development executive at the BFI, described Chork as a 'typically funny, urgent, and heartfelt state of the nation piece'. She also praised Meadows, Thorne, and their 'skilled crew of collaborators' for 'weaving [in] irreverent magic which asks timely questions'. More Trending 'We can't wait for their film to be out in the world, inspiring a new generation.' As well as This Is England, Meadows' other films include Small Time (1996), Twenty Four Seven (1997), A Room for Romeo Brass (1999), and Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (2002). He's also responsible for Dead Man's Shoes (2004), Somers Town (2006), Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee (2009), and the latest The Stone Roses: Made of Stone (2013). Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Justin Timberlake fans gutted after Isle of Wight performance 'not allowed' on TV MORE: The 90s and 2000s were the best time for video game creativity – Reader's Feature MORE: Bruce Springsteen gives his opinion on Stephen Graham's portrayal of his father in new biopic
Press and Journal
44 minutes ago
- Press and Journal
Stonehaven's 'Bird Man' dies during Swiss Alps base jump
A Stonehaven man dubbed 'Bird Man' has died following a daring jump in the Swiss Alps. Liam Byrne, 24, hailed from the Aberdeenshire town and was known for his adrenaline-inducing skydives involving a wingsuit, hence the nickname – the Bird Man. Described as a 'very experienced wingsuit flyer', Mr Byrne was critically injured on the Gitschen mountain on June 21, after taking off from 7,874ft. He had completed thousands of similar jumps throughout his life. His parents, Mike and Gillian, confirmed to BBC Scotland News that their son had died. 'We would like to remember Liam not just for the way he left this world, but for how he lived in it,' a family statement said. 'Liam was fearless, not necessarily because he wasn't afraid but because he refused to let fear hold him back. He chased life in a way that most of us only dream of and he soared. 'Skydiving and base jumping were more than just a thrill for Liam – it was freedom. It was where he felt most alive.' His passion for skydiving led to him featuring in the BBC documentary, The Boy Who Can Fly. The show builds up to Liam taking on the most technically difficult challenge of his career: a wingsuit jump off 7,000ft (2,134m) Männlichen in Switzerland. He was also proclaimed British champion in performance wingsuit flying. The statement added: 'Liam was more than just an adventurer. He was a son, brother, grandson, cousin and friend, he was a source of laughter and strength. 'He inspired all of us and made life better with his bold spirit and kind heart. We will miss Liam's wild energy and contagious laugh. 'Though he has now flown beyond our reach, he will always be with us.'
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Chris Martin calls Chiedu Oraka about Coldplay Hull support slot
A musician has relived the "surreal" moment he was asked to support Coldplay for their concerts in Oraka, who is from the city, will join the band for their dates at Craven Park on 18 and 19 August after he was personally contacted by frontman Chris dates in Hull take place before Coldplay perform a record 10 nights at Wembley said: "I've had to keep it a secret for a long time, I've known about it since last year. His management got in touch with mine and said Chris wanted my number. The rest is history." Oraka told BBC Radio Humberside that he found out he would be supporting the band after Martin called him via Facetime from a studio in Los call started with Martin introducing himself as "Chris from the band Coldplay" before he said: "I heard your music and we'd love you to come play with us in Hull in August."We have two shows and we'd be so happy," he who first shot to prominence on BBC Introducing and played the Glastonbury Festival last year, said the latest milestone in his music career "doesn't feel real"."He [Chris Martin] told me he loved my music, quoted some of my lyrics and said he wanted to catch up. I never thought it would happen," Oraka said."I never thought the singer of the biggest band in the world would ever call me."Oraka also said he was trying not to think about the shows too much and would "just live in the moment".He added: "It's a massive platform for me and I'm going to bring that Hull energy - I think that's why Chris wants me there. "I want to make the city proud." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
