Jamie Borthwick is related to his 'EastEnders' co-star Charlie Winter.

Jamie Borthwick

Jamie Borthwick

The 24-year-old star - who has played Jay Brown on the BBC One soap since 2006 - recently discovered he and Walford newcomer Charlie (Hunter Owen) are second cousins after doing some digging when he was told the 22-year-old actor, who shares the same name as his uncle, was joining the programme.

Jamie told Inside Soap magazine: "Charlie Winter and I are family.

"My great uncle is called Charlie Winter, so when they said there was a kid coming in called Charlie Winter, I was like, 'Seriously?'

"Turns out we are second cousins."

Jamie and Charlie's news isn't the first time this year a soap pair have discovered they are related to one another.

Coronation Street's Sally Ann Matthews - who plays Jenny Connor - found out she and former cobbles stalwart Amanda Barrie (Alma Halliwell) are in fact cousins.

The pair discovered the news when they appeared on ITV show 'Coronation Street's DNA Secrets', which explored the genealogical links of several cast members, in September.

Sally said at the time: "I am so surprised, but thrilled. In a bizarre kind of way, of course it was Amanda.

"That's what's really weird about it."

Amanda - who portrayed Alma from 1981 to 2001 - added: "Funnily enough, I always felt close to Sally Ann. Now I feel extremely close and extremely proud."

Sally starred alongside Amanda during her first stint in 'Corrie' in the late 80s and early 90s, and the 82-year-old star joked she was pleased to find out she is related to the actress because she might need some of her organs.

She said: "Have you found any money in the family, darling?

"I thought I would come around the corner you would go, 'Oh no.'

"I've always liked you. I'm also relieved that now I'm so old you might have organs to spare."

But Sally joked: "You're not having my kidney, but I'll buy you a cup of tea."