A curator at the Gladstone Pottery Museum in Stoke-on-Trent, Ben Miller, has described the discovery of his family connection to Bafta-winning actor Toby Jones as a "crazy coincidence". The revelation unfolded during the recent BBC One programme, Who Do You Think You Are?, which explored Jones's ancestry, including his roots in the Potteries.
During the episode, which aired on Thursday, Jones visited the museum to learn about saggar makers, an occupation held by his great-grandfather, Henry Jones, who lived in Fenton. Saggars are robust, fire-resistant ceramic boxes historically used in traditional pottery kilns. It was during this segment that Miller informed Jones they were, in fact, third cousins, once removed, through Miller's mother's side of the family.
Miller explained to BBC Radio Stoke that there was no initial indication of any familial link when the production company first contacted Gladstone Pottery Museum about filming. The connection only became apparent later when his mother showed him a letter from the same company, which highlighted a link between her maiden name, Leese, and the Jones family. This prompted Miller to connect the dots, leading to the on-camera reveal to a surprised Toby Jones.
The experience not only provided a memorable moment for the television programme but also helped Miller confirm long-standing family rumours about connections to India, mirroring some of Jones's own ancestral discoveries. The actor's great-great grandfather was stationed in India with the British Army, and the programme also delved into his mother's acting dynasty.
Jones maintains strong ties to his Potteries heritage, serving as a patron of Claybody Theatre and having famously portrayed former Stoke City kit man and circus clown Neil Baldwin in the 2014 BBC film Marvellous. His father, Freddie Jones, an acclaimed actor, was born in Dresden and previously worked at the British Ceramics Research Association in Penkhull. Miller, a fellow Stoke City fan, expressed hope of meeting up with Jones again, perhaps at a football match.