‘It makes it very hard to be proud of’: TV host Grant Denyer opens up about his family’s ‘horrific’ secret past of
Grant Denyer has spoken out about his family’s ‘horrific’ past after learning about his ancestors on an upcoming episode of the SBS series, Who Do You Think You Are?
In an interview with Yahoo! Lifestyle on Thursday, the 43-year-old veteran TV host admitted he was shocked to discover his family’s ‘harrowing and heartbreaking’ history of domestic violence.
‘You want to be proud of who you are and be proud of your lineage but when you find someone who’s committed horrific acts, it makes it very hard to be proud of,’ he confessed.
Making discoveries: Grant Denyer has spoken out about his family’s ‘horrific’ past after learning about his ancestors on an upcoming episode of the SBS series, Who Do You Think You Are?
Grant said the revelation had forced him to look inwardly at himself and his own character traits.
‘I think turning 40, you start going “Okay, these personality traits aren’t working for me anymore”, you clean house a little bit,’ he explained.
‘How do I feel about life and love and who I am and my place in the world? They’re questions that everyone arrives at at some point in their life and it just happens to be happening to me right now.’
Family man: In an interview with Yahoo! Lifestyle on Thursday, the 43-year-old veteran TV host admitted he was shocked to discover his family’s ‘harrowing and heartbreaking’ history of domestic violence. Pictured with wife Chezzi and daughter Sunday
Grant added that he’s ready for people to see the real him after years of putting on a shiny facade for TV.
‘I’ve been glossy for too long and that doesn’t really interest me anymore because that’s only part of who I am, so it’s kind of nice to be warts and all. That’s how healing happens,’ he added.
Prior to appearing on Who Do You Think You Are?, Grant confessed he had no idea about his family’s history.
Working the land: Grant’s family originated in Scotland, emigrating to Victoria in the mid-1800s after they were brutally forced off their farmland
He admitted that what he discovered ‘shocked me to the core’, and said he should have ‘been a little bit more prepared for any outcome’.
Grant’s family originated in Scotland, emigrating to Victoria in the mid-1800s after they were brutally forced off their farmland.
After working as shepherds for 10 years, they finally managed to save up enough money to buy their own farm, which Grant said explains his own ‘deep love of the land’.
At one with nature: After working as shepherds for 10 years, his family finally managed to save up enough money to buy their own farm, which Grant said explains his own ‘deep love of the land’