Instructor Paul’s family links are fit for a king

AN AEROBICS instructor from Paignton had no idea he was the second cousin of royal bride Kate Middleton until a TV crew came knocking.

Paul Harrison, 53, from Kings Ash Road, received a text from his cousin telling him that Channel 4 were making a documentary about being related to Prince William’s future wife.

During the filming for Meet The Middletons, which goes out tonight at 9pm, his relationship to Kate Middleton became clear.

Dad-of-two Paul said: “She is my second cousin. My dad is John Harrison.

“His father’s brother, Tommy Harrison, married Kate Middleton’s great grandmother.”

Despite the link Paul has not been invited to the royal wedding — only his cousin Jean will attend, on her own.

Paul said: “My aunt confirmed it was all true and the next thing Channel 4 rang up and came down to the leisure centre and filmed an aerobics class, interviewed me and took some family photographs.”

He added: “This is all new family to me. It is so bizarre. I knew my father’s immediate family line but that is it.

“I don’t think it will really change anything, it is lovely to know, but it is not like I am going to meet her. I can’t see me meeting her personally.

“She will see this person tonight on television and think who is that? I don’t mean that disrespectfully in anyway. If this programme wasn’t being shown tomorrow, I wouldn’t have known.

“The chances of me popping up to Buckingham Palace is a million to one. I am proud of her and it is a nice thing to know.”

Paul added he didn’t think it would affect his exercise classes, for which he has won national awards, but said: “I can’t go anywhere in the Bay without people knowing about it.

“It is completely mad. It is so surreal. It is all good and really positive.”