Rhonda Burchmore bombshell on Who Do You Think You Are?

Rhonda Burchmore has uncovered the startling truth about her grandfather during a recent TV appearance, finally learning why his name was taboo in her family.

Rhonda Burchmore with Ruth Slade, her mother’s half-sister and daughter of Burchmore's grandfather, Tommy Stewart, on SBS's Who Do You Think You Are?

Rhonda Burchmore has discovered the heartbreaking truth about her “alcoholic” grandfather, whose face was cut out of every family photo after he abandoned his wife and young kids.

The Melbourne entertainer also met a family member she never knew existed, and was stunned to learn she is the direct descendant of a popular singer.

While growing up, Burchmore’s granddad was a taboo topic.

She was told he was a bad father and alcoholic who deserted his family, forcing her mother to work from age 13 or 14 to help make ends meet.

Rhonda Burchmore unlocked her family history on SBS's Who Do You Think You Are?

But while tracing her family history in Tuesday night’s episode of SBS’s Who Do You Think You Are?, Burchmore discovered the truth.

Tommy Stewart fought in World War II in a high-stress role as a frontline combat engineer, or sapper, but was evacuated in 1941 after suffering a mental breakdown.

“Seeing and hearing what he actually went through, I’m certainly a lot more sympathetic towards Tommy, especially knowing that he had this neurosis and severe depression,” Burchmore said.

“But the one question that really drives me nuts is why he never ever got in touch with my mum.

“She never ever heard or even knew that he was alive or dead.”

Burchmore was shocked to learn Stewart fathered another daughter, Ruth Slade, after abandoning his first family.

Tommy Stewart, Rhonda Burchmore's maternal grandfather, in 1940, when he was fighting as a frontline combat engineer in the Middle East in World War II.

Tommy Stewart, Rhonda Burchmore's maternal grandfather, when he was working for Sydney County Council as an electrical mechanic after World War II.

When the pair met, Burchmore saw photos of her grandfather for the first time.

But she was upset to learn her mother’s half-sister was given to another family as a baby when her parents broke up, and Stewart only told her he was her father when she was 15.

Ms Slade shared another bombshell – Stewart “never had a drinking problem at all”.

He worked as an electrical mechanic after the war for Sydney County Council, and Ms Slade described her father as a “beautiful man” and a hard worker.

He died of a cerebral haemorrhage in 1969, aged 65.

“There’s a part of me that feels very, very sorry for Tommy and what he went through in the war,” Burchmore said.

“But after meeting Ruth, I’m quite angry actually, because my grandfather Tommy was never there for my mum and her sister, and I was hoping that Tommy was going to be a good father to Ruth.

“Alas, no he wasn’t.”

Burchmore had never known of anyone musical in her family, and had long wondered where her own talent came from.

Delving back further, she discovered Tommy Stewart’s father was Scottish immigrant James Stewart, a popular musical entertainer.

Helen and James Stewart, Rhonda Burchmore's great-grandparents.

Rhonda Burchmore discovered long-hidden secrets on SBS's Who Do You Think You Are?

During World War I, James Stewart was routinely dubbed “Canberra’s Harry Lauder”, in the press, referring to the Scottish music hall comedian and singer who was by then a global superstar.

“I am so thrilled that I have finally found out that there is someone in my family that was not only musical but was quite the star of the time,” Burchmore said.

“People say, ‘Is it in your blood, performing?’ Obviously it is.”

Rhonda Burchmore’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? is available to stream now on SBS On Demand.