It is part of BBC Two's autumn line-up, which also includes terrorist drama The Grid, finance show Bank of Mum and Dad, and arts series The Culture Show.

Oddie said: "I have a personal history which I didn't know very much about.

"I was a good subject because there was a hell of a lot for me to find out."

The 63-year-old said he now believes his mother, who was schizophrenic and spent time in mental institutions, may have suffered from post natal depression at a time when the condition was not recognised.

Oddie moved to Birmingham aged six and was brought up by his grandmother. Margaret Jean was born a year before Oddie.

Other celebrities taking part in Who Do You Think You Are? include comedians David Baddiel, Meera Syal and Vic Reeves.

Presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Moira Stuart will also be tracing their roots in the 10-part series.