MARK Wright will be seen fighting back tears on Who Do You Think You Are? as he learns his ancestor was burnt at the stake for being Jewish.
The telly star learns some upsetting facts about his family during an appearance on the telly show.
Mark’s nine-times great grandfather, David Antonio de Mendoza, was arrested by the Spanish Inquisition in 1696 accused of secretly practising his religion.
David, who was 36 at the time, was tortured for two years in Seville using methods including the toca.
During the show, Mark, 32, is given a list which contains David’s nephew Miguel’s name underneath the heading “Pessoas Relaxadas Em Carne” – which means people who were burnt at the stake.
Wright says: “How is it possible for human beings to do this to other human beings because of a religion?
“I can’t help but feel angry at the whole Inquisition – angry for my family, my ancestors, that they had to go through that because they followed a religion.
“So what? They weren’t hurting anybody. It’s been a real eye-opener.”
“The fact that I’m going to be able to tell my grandfather everything that I now know, before it’s too late, it feels good.”
Mark also finds out his nine-time great-grandfather was a master swordsman from the Andalusia region of Spain.
On the show, Mark, who often visits Spain with his wife Michelle Keegan, says: “Southern Spain, right near Marbella. No carbs before Marbs!
“On Plaza Beach, cocktail in hand . . . I can now say when I’m sat there, ‘This is home’. Straight outta Marbs.
And he told us: “I always thought I might have been a bit Italian, so I’d tell the girls that in the playground at school.
“To find out I’m Spanish is amazing. We’ve been going on holiday to that area for years and my brother lives out there. It’s ridiculous.”
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Mark went to Spain while filming and tried fencing, like his swordsman ancestor David.
He laughed: “The guy said I was pretty good and had a natural aptitude, so maybe I’ll take it up!
“I’d definitely give it another go because I really enjoyed it.”
The BBC One show airs on September 11 at 9pm.
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