Comedian Al Murray rubbishes claims that he is related to Prime Minister David Cameron

Pair are distant cousins related through the 19th century novelist William Thackeray
Related: Prime Minister David Cameron and comedian Al Murray
PA
Rachel Blundy29 January 2014

Pub landlord comic Al Murray has dismissed claims by a genealogy website that he is a distant cousin of Prime Minister David Cameron.

The comedian, 45, took to Twitter today to rubbish the link between him and the UK's most prominent politician.

The pair are sixth cousins related through the 19th century novelist William Thackeray, according to findmypast.co.uk.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I am at the centre of a <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23notnews&amp;src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-329281-https://twitter.com/search?q=%23notnews&amp;src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#notnews</a> nexus. My mum says "don't know how we are related to PM other than via Adam &amp; Eve.— Al Murray (@ajhmurray) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ajhmurray/statuses/428440775018708992" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-329281-https://twitter.com/ajhmurray/statuses/428440775018708992" data-vars-event-id="c23">January 29, 2014</a>

Thackery was Murray's great great great grandfather and Cameron's ancestor Talbot Shakespear, who was a senior civil servant for the East India Company, was Thackery's uncle.

Commenting on the connection today, Murray said: "Though I am glad to be doing unpaid PR for that genealogy website, believe me. #notnews #uttercobblers".

He also posted: "I am at the centre of a #notnews nexus. My mum says "don't know how we are related to PM other than via Adam & Eve."

Cameron is yet to comment on the connection, which was revealed after the website, in partnership with the British Library, published over 2.5 million records detailing the lives of the British in India from 1698 to 1947.

Responding to Murray's remarks, the website's family historian Myko Clelland said: "On available evidence, David Cameron and Al Murray are sixth cousins.

"In genealogical terms this is not especially distant and only involves taking research to the late 18 century.

"The original research of the kinship between Al Murray and David Cameron was verified by our in-house genealogist."

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