British public more familiar with celebrity trivia than personal family details, study finds

North Wales Live

10-07-2025

A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that merely 29% are aware of who their mother first dated, with even fewer knowing about their father's early romantic history (19%). However, 34% could correctly name Chelsy Davy as Prince Harry's first prominent girlfriend.
Meanwhile, 26% knew Wayne Rooney's first car – a Ford SportKa – yet only 21% could identify their mum's initial vehicle.
The research was commissioned by National Rail, representing the rail industry, which has introduced a fresh version of '36 Questions' to encourage people to discover more about their loved ones and engage in more meaningful discussions with friends and family.
Psychologist Dr Madeleine Mason Roantree, collaborating with the brand, explained: "Many of us assume we know our loved ones better than we actually do.
"But research, and everyday experience, show us that we often have blind spots and gaps in our understanding of those around us."
The study also revealed that many haven't explored fundamental questions about themselves, with 40% unaware of how they received their name. Yet 47% know how at least one of the Beckham children got their names – with Brooklyn leading the list (37%).
Nevertheless, failing to find time for personal questions can result in regret later in life – amongst those who've lost a parent, 30% wished they had enquired about their grandparents. Additionally, 27% yearned to discuss their happiest memories with them.
While a majority of 57% are keen to learn more about their family members, a fifth of the population (21%) are at a loss for how to initiate these meaningful conversations.
The study also highlighted that train travel is seen as one of the top settings for fostering connections with others. This preference is attributed to the minimal distractions and the opportunity for quality time (59%), positioning train journeys as prime occasions for strengthening relationships.
Television personalities George and Larry Lamb have given National Rail's '36 Questions to Connect' a go, acknowledging that their busy lives seldom allow for in-depth discussions.
Larry commented: "I'm so lucky to have a very close relationship with my kids but life's so busy, it's often hard to find the time to sit down and have a proper chat, connect, and have those more deep and meaningful conversations - but on the train you can.
"I really enjoyed playing 36 Questions to Connect with my son George, reminiscing on past experiences and sharing a few stories that we didn't know about each other. I didn't realise he didn't actually know what my first job was, and there's a few things I learnt about him too."