Fans stunned after finding out Declan Donnelly is related to ex-wrestling star

Declan Donnelly, of Ant and Dec fame, discovered he was related to a wealthy wrestling icon after taking a DNA test.

Given the nature of family trees worldwide, there's a chance you or I have an unexpected relative somewhere in the world.

The popular TV presenters decided to put this to the test in a documentary titled 'Ant and Dec's DNA Journey' in 2019 to learn about their family connections.

Dec expected the unexpected, but ties to one of the most influential figures in wrestling in the 2000s likely wasn't high on his bingo card.

He received a video from the DNA team, which detailed a segment previously shown on Total Nonstop Action, a rival to World Wrestling Entertainment.

In the segment, Bully Ray put company president Dixie Carter through a table from the top turnbuckle after calling her the most hated woman in professional wrestling.

After that, Dec discovered he and Carter are related on Dec's father's side, sharing a great-grandfather four times removed.

Carter started in a backstage role in TNA before becoming an on-screen character in 2010. Two years later, she became the majority owner of the promotion after purchasing shares from Panda Energy.

The Dallas native remained involved with TNA until her resignation in 2017. Since leaving wrestling, she's transitioned to other business interests and managed to rake in an outrageous $5 billion.

Dec and Dixie's meeting

After learning of their connection, Dec and Dixie reunited in a pub in Ireland. Ant joked Dec should put her through a table as Bully Ray did, although he didn't seem up for the idea.

Dec filled Carter in on his and Ant's backstory, with the duo being the most beloved in British TV history. When reflecting on the meeting, he said: "It feels weird, you immediately have this kind of connection with them."

Carter was aware of her Irish heritage through her father, Bob, who was adopted as a three-year-old. After the meeting, Carter posted a message on Instagram commemorating her new family connection.

Alongside a photo of Dec and Ant (The only time to ever be written in that order), she said: "YES.....Declan Donnelly is my cousin! It’s not a wrestling storyline. Dec’s fabulous. Ant too."