Kate Garraway is related to the creator of 'Paddington Bear'.
Kate Garraway is related to Michael Bond
The 'Good Morning Britain' presenter was stunned when she discovered an unexpected family connection after being introduced to late author Michael Bond's daughter Karen Jankel, with whom the 55-year-old TV presenter shares a great-great-great-grandparent.
Appearing on ITV's 'DNA Journey', Kate met Karen at London's Paddington train station, where the beloved children's book character arrived in London from the deepest, darkest jungles of Peru.
Describing the bear as her "famous brother", Michael's daughter told Kate: "Paddington and I grew up together.
"The reason is that my father was Michael Bond, the creator of Paddington, which means that of course you are also related to Michael Bond."
She added: "He was always part of my family. He is so real to our family, and now to your family too, because he is a member of the family.
"He used to sit on the table at meal times and my father used to talk to him and talk through him to us. Of course, I never knew anything else because he was always around."
Karen also showed Kate a first edition copy of 'A Bear Called Paddington' - which marked the character's first appearance in print in 1958 - signed by her father a year after its release.
Kate revealed: "It was always my absolute favourite growing up.
"It has been said to me over the years that I do have a touch of Paddington Bear about me and that is because without meaning to, he does cause an extraordinary amount of chaos."
She also joked that she would regularly tuck into Paddington's favourite marmalade sandwiches at university.
Bond - who died in 2017 aged 91 - published over 20 books featuring the iconic character, and they have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.
'DNA Journey' airs on Thursday at 9pm on ITV.
Tagged in Kate Garraway