Up next for the WDYTYA treatment is none other than Gandalf himself - Sir Ian McKellen. The venerable thespian, darling of the stage and screen is sure to be one of the best episodes yet. The current series of the popular ancestry show has provided us with some great viewing, who can forget Danny Dyers Regal connections or Amanda Holden and the tragedy of the almost forgotten RMS Lancastria.

That said, I'm sure Sir Ian's forebears will rise to the occasion and provide us with yet another unforgettable trip down the ages. Born in 1939, this National Treasure (I'm sure he'd love being called that - not that I know him!) has a very long list of awards and plaudits ranging across such diverse genres as Shakespeare and modern theatre to fantasy and science fiction. The man is laden with honours, being the recipient of six Laurence Oliver Awards, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BIF Award ........ and so on and so forth! I'm sure the commanding presence that has garnered this recognition will deliver undoubted gravitas as he delves through the archive of his past.

Whilst he started his glittering career back in 1961, he is perhaps better known by more young modern audiences for his roles as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies and Magneto in the X-Men films. As if to prove further versatility, fans will no doubt recognise the voice behind Cogsworth in the upcoming Disney live action Beauty and the Beast.

Whatever this Knight of the Realm uncovers on his trip to the past, I have no doubt he will illuminate the story with every bit as much panache and flare as any of his film and theatre roles. Tune in to BBC One at 8pm on Wednesday 25th January.