Johnny Vegas on his pride after ITV's DNA Journey uncovers his history

Johnny Vegas, whose real name is Michael Pennington, appeared on the show alongside long-time friend and fellow comic Alex Brooker which showed key town landmarks such as the Beechams building and important areas in Johnny’s life.

The programme, which aired on Tuesday, March 14, followed their family trees and unearthed family they didn’t know they had and family stories.

For Johnny, his roots are as Sintellens as they come, the historians featured on the show shows that Johnny’s relatives on his mum’s side had ended up in St Helens as he was a glassblower in Bristol and was essentially head hunted to work in the Cannington Shaw bottle making site, the ruins of which lie close to the Tesco on St Helens Linkway.

As well as amusingly meeting his long-lost cousin Ray – who is an Elvis impersonator – in Parr Conservative club and all the fun that meeting ensued, Johnny learned that his relative Patrick Ryan helped change the law when it came to corporal punishment.

Talking exclusively to the Star, Thatto Heath born Johnny, said: “First thing I'd packed was a passport but somehow I knew St Helens would feature massively.

“Still I genuinely wasn't prepared for the range and impact of links to home and how they came about.

“I knew glass production had brought my ancestors here but the family relevance to The Cannington/Shaw factory made me feel proper proud for putting up with all the micky taking in the past about my studying ceramics.

“I felt a genuine craftsman link to my relatives of old. Funny really as I'm the only one out of my dad and two brothers who can't put a shelf up straight and opted for pottery instead of joinery.

“I'll have to get involved with the gang hoping to preserve the last remaining evidence of their factory here.

“Of course there had to be an Elvis in my past. Ray is the missing link between The King and Johnny's unique on-stage dress sense back in the old Citadel days.

“I must confess I've not seen Ray since we filmed and he has messaged so we'll have a natter soon.

“We have to get our wider families together soon around one big table that we can all take turns getting up and singing on.

“I've already told my sister Catharine "No family rates if you book our Ray!" He's a star, a proper entertainer and his work outside of rock 'n roll is inspiring stuff.

“As for Patrick's story and the fact that it all started at St Austins, my old school in Thatto Heath, was incredible.

“When it all unfolded at the courtroom in Liverpool I was honestly lost for words. I was so lucky Alex was there to talk as the enormity of it was sinking in.

“As well as the shock at the injuries he sustained I was still inspired and humbled into silence by the bravery showed by all in not accepting this as an unfortunate incident.

“Their legacy of being pivotal in helping bring an end to corporal punishment across the UK is an enormous source of personal pride but also something, despite the terrible circumstances that set these events in motion, that we as a town can be proud of.

“This wasn't just a moving end to my DNA journey, I guess like Saints, its a win for all of our great town.”

Commenting on the show itself and having St Helens ‘on the telly’, he added: “I can't stand watching myself on telly but I still get a buzz like I'm a kid whenever I see familiar streets or landmarks up there. Pat would've been chuffed that TOAST got featured.

“In fact a London-based Woolyback twitter pal messaged and confessed she'd she got a wee bit emotional seeing it up there.

READ: St Helens MPs react to childcare plans put forward in Spring Budget

“It's a funny thing that never leaves you. Showing off the place you love with the rest of the country.

“I knew it'd be great craic touring St Helens with Alex [Brooker] too.

“He's a lad I'd consider a pal outside of showbiz circles so I was made up knowing we'd on this journey together.

“The competitive side of us soon gave way to acting up like naughty kids on the back of the bus.

“I told my family nothing about what I'd discovered so everyone had to tune in to learn a bit more about our past. Even Bev kept pestering for spoilers.

“My phone went bonkers the night DNA journeys went out and everyone was chuffed with what was discovered.”

Commenting on his future projects, he added: “Busy times as we're gearing up to move Patricia from her winter home at St Helen's Transport Museum to her new glamp site setting of Field of Dreams at Melbourne Hall, Derbyshire.

“The local Retro Chimp lads have done some fantastic tweaks to her interior assisted by Tebbs and Sons.

“Some exciting and busy months ahead but it was grand to stop, relax and go back in time for an hour and learn more about why I've always had this pride for my town woven into my DNA.”