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DNA Journey return date confirmed – Fay Ripley and Sam Thompson among line-up

Hermione Norris, Jo Brand, Julian Clary and Marvin Humes will also be taking part.

Fay Ripley in a denim outfit with hand on hip

Dave Benett/Getty Images for The King's Trust

Published: Thursday, 29 May 2025 at 12:21 pm

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The return date has been confirmed for the second batch of episodes from ITV's DNA Journey season 5, with the likes of Fay Ripley and Sam Thompson set to take part.

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The new season will officially begin airing on ITV1 and ITVX from Thursday 12th June at 9pm.

The first episode will be featuring Fay Ripley and Hermione Norris, while future instalments will focus on the pairings of Jo Brand and Julian Clary plus Sam Thompson and Marvin Humes.

Season 5 originally started airing back in October, with an episode which saw John Simm discover that the man he thought was his dad was not his biological father.

Sam Thompson in a black outfit smiling

Sam Thompson. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

That episode saw Simm paired up with Philip Glenister, while other instalments which aired as part of the first batch of season 5 included Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston, as well as Sarah Parish and James Nesbitt.

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The series continues to see celebrity pairs setting off in pursuit of where they come from, in order to unearth secrets from their past, using advanced DNA technology and genealogy.

When the celebrities taking part in season 5 were first announced, Louise Major, commissioning editor at ITV, said in a statement: "DNA Journey is an extraordinary series that offers a unique glimpse into the lives of so many brilliant celebrities.

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"It is a privilege to be granted intimate access to their personal journeys and to share their experiences with the audience.

"This series is packed with life-changing revelations and gratifying discoveries that are sure to touch everyone’s hearts."

DNA Journey with Ancestry returns on Thursday 12th June at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of James Hibbs, smiling against a lime green background.

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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