'Hero In My Family' episode shot in Malta

An episode from a prime-time documentary series for Channel Five, 'Hero In My Family' is shot in Malta.

Filming was held at at a number of locations including the Upper and Lower Barraka in Valletta
Filming was held at at a number of locations including the Upper and Lower Barraka in Valletta

360 Productions, a UK production house for a docuseries titled "Hero in My Family" which explores how celebrities' ancestors contributed to the war effort in WWII, was recently in Malta to shoot an episode, which was made possible with the assistance of the Malta Film Commission.

"Hero in My Family" is a prime-time documentary factual series for UK television station Channel Five featuring twelve well-known people who are on a personal journey to trace their family's involvement in WWII.

The series uncovers the remarkable stories from this period through the acts of heroism and individual self-sacrifice of their own ancestors. The programme provides a great opportunity to gain a very personal insight into the dramatic, epic story of World War Two.

The Malta episode shot in Valletta at a number of locations including the Upper and Lower Barraka, the Casino Maltese, and the Grand Hotel Excelsior follows the story of TV personality, Angela Rippon who reveals how her father John Rippon was a Royal Marine who served on board HMS Rodney and on HMS Newfoundland. 

John Rippon was also present during the sinking of the Bismarck, the Malta Convoys and saw action in the Pacific as part of the British Pacific Fleet, followed by attendance at the surrender of Japan in September 1945. John Rippon passed away on Tuesday May 6th 2003. The episode also highlights the Malta Convoys story and bears in mind the 70th anniversary of Operation Pedestal coming up this August.

Angela Rippon is an award-winning journalist and familiar face and voice in British broadcasting for over 40 years. She has presented a wide variety of programmes from hard news and current affairs, to quiz shows and magazine programmes for both BBC and Commercial radio and television, including Come Dancing; Top Gear, and the Antiques Roadshow.

360 Production was founded by John Farren in partnership with Impossible Pictures in November 2008. Based in Derry, Northern Ireland, its clients include BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four, BBC Worldwide, National Geographic Channel US and International, the Discovery Channel and the Open University.