Actor John Simm has discovered that the man he thought was his biological father is actually not.
Starring alongside his best friend Philip Glenister in the first episode of the fifth series of ITV’s DNA Journey, Simm discovered revealing facts about his past.
John Simm and Philip Glenister met 17 years ago when they became the actors behind Life On Mars police duo Sam Tyler and DCI Gene Hunt.
Now, in his first TV appearance since the BBC drama, Simm said he only took part in the show so Glenister wouldn’t be alone.
Taking a DNA test, Simm discovered the news about the man he thought was his biological father.
Actor John Simm has discovered that the man he thought was his biological father is actually not.
By taking a DNA test, Mr Simm discovered the news about the man he thought was his biological father (pictured, John’s real biological father, Terry Smith).
Starring alongside her former Life On Mars co-star Philip Glenister (right) in the first episode of the fifth series of ITV’s DNA Journey, Simm discovered revealing facts about her past.
He said, “My world spun, and everything I thought I knew, wasn’t real.”
“It turned out to be a very important thing in my life and everything I was doing was a favor to Phil Glenister so he wouldn’t have to do it alone.”
Recalling a conversation he had with his mother before taking the test, Mr Simm said: “When they had me, in the Sixties, they were both young.
They were together and then they broke up and they were both with other people and then they got back together and then they had me.
“And I’d never heard this story before.”
Simm revealed that he had considered withdrawing from the show, but decided to use the experts to find out about his biological father.
During the episode, Simm is told that his biological father passed away, but discovers that he lived in the same area as Simm and drank in the same working men’s clubs as him and his father.
“What surprises me is that my dad and I play around here a lot, we definitely play here a lot and he could have been in the same pub one night and watched me play,” he said.
He said: “My world spun, and everything I thought I knew wasn’t real” (pictured with wife Kate Magowan in 2013)
More revelations: Mr. Simm also discovers that he has a half-sister, Karen (pictured), whom he meets at the end of the episode and shares memories with her about their biological father.
He admitted: “It turned out to be a very important thing in my life and everything I was doing was a favor to Phil Glenister so he wouldn’t have to do it alone.”
Simm revealed that he had considered withdrawing from the show, but decided to use the experts to find out about his biological father.
“I can’t get him out of my head, because we played in this area in the ’80s and he was here and working in men’s clubs.
“It’s one of those crazy Back to the Future, Life on Mars things.”
More revelations: Mr. Simm also discovers that he has a half-sister whom he meets at the end of the episode and shares memories with her about his biological father.
New episodes of DNA Journey will also feature Ricky Tomlinson, Sue Johnston, James Nesbitt and Sarah Parish.
The friends first appeared together in the hit BBC series Life On Mars in 2006.
