Generations before Johnny Vegas was a household name, a "superstar" relative was "the Messi" of his trade on Merseyside.
Since he first appeared on our screens in the 1990s, Johnny Vegas has become one of the country’s most recognisable and loved comedians. Born Michael Joseph Pennington in September 1970, Johnny's career has seen him venture out into the world of comedy and acting - but he's never forgotten his St Helens roots.
The dad-of-two may be known for huge endorsement deals with the likes of PG Tips and starring in ITV's Benidorm, but Johnny's latest TV appearance saw him go back to his hometown and uncover the truth of his family ties to the area. Appearing on this week's episode of ITV's DNA Journey alongside friend and comedian Alex Brooker, experts helped the pair find out more about their family past.
Read More:
- 27 places every Liverpool parent took their kids at the weekend
- 17 Merseyside swimming pools we loved as kids that are no longer around
Embarking on a road trip, a mix of DNA and genealogy was used to help discover family secrets and living cousins the pair never knew existed. Early on in the episode, Johnny said he'd love to find a family member who "booked a trend at the time" - and he did just that.
Arriving in Bristol, Johnny, who went to arts school, learnt of a creative link to his past. Dr Michala Hulme, a historian from the University of Bristol who specialises in the 19th century, revealed Johnny's three times great-grandfather, Richard Everson, on his maternal side was a talent of his time.
Tracing glass blowing in the family tree back to the early 1700s, Johnny's ancestor Richard began as an apprentice at the age of 14. At the Bristol Blue Glass workshop, Johnny said: "This takes me back, art school, my degree, when I discovered art and discovered ceramics and it was the first thing that really spoke to me.
"And who knew it would link all the way back to my great great great-grandfather." Michala said: "Arts and crafts is definitely in your DNA.
Did you watch this episode of ITV's DNA Journey? Let us know in the comments section below.
"In 1861 we find Richard in the census, this time he's in Liverpool. In Liverpool, at the time, there are two brothers called the Cannington brothers and they are originally from Bristol and they have set up a new glass production place in Liverpool.
"He's been headhunted to go work in Liverpool. He is in demand."
By 1871, Richard Everson is in St Helens and at the same time as the census, the Cannington brothers have teamed up with a Mr John Shaw, opening the UKs largest glass bottle factory there - Cannington Shaw glass makers.
Michaela said: "If you opened a brand new factory, if you think about it in football terms, you wanted your Messi and he was the Messi of the day in glass blowing." Just across the car park from Tesco and the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens still sits the large derelict structure that once thrived as part of the town's key industry - glass making.
The Grade II listed building first opened in the 1880s and made use of ground-breaking techniques to produce glass bottles by the thousand.
It remained in production until 1918, when it was used as a store and it was later used as an air-raid shelter during the Second World War before it became derelict in the late 1980s. In April 2021, ambitious plans were announced to restore the building to its former glory and turn it into a visitors centre for the local community. The Cannington Shaw Preservation Trust CIC behind plans said their aim wasto create a centre of excellence that "blends the past with the future."
Delighted by the discovery, Johnny said: "He must have loved what he did. How many people back then could provide for their family and shine at what they did.
"Not just go in, graft, come home and get enough to pay the bills, it was that thing of he was a superstar. He was a legend in glassblowing."
Join our Liverpool memories and history Facebook group here.
For more nostalgia stories, sign up to our Liverpool Echo newsletter here.
DNA Journey recently returned to ITV1 and ITVX this year for a new series. Hugh Bonneville, John Bishop, Adrian Dunbar, Neil Morrisey, Alex Brooker, Johnny Vegas and Oti and Motsi Mabuse are taking part in the latest episodes. whereas previous series' included stars such as Ant and Dec, Larry Lamb and Alison Steadman and Amanda Holden and Alan Carr.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
Read Next:
Lost nightclub selling Chicken Kiev and lasagne that was replaced by Zanzibar
15 things you could do in 90s Liverpool that you can't do now
21 photos captured by the 'Photie Man' of Merseyside characters
Liverpool nightspot with 'hidden cameras' now reduced to rubble
Fascinating 80s photos of demolished Liverpool estate and city life
