'My favourite film is Gladiator... and now I've found Russell Crowe is my cousin'

TARNIA FINDS A FILM STAR IN THE FAMILY

- By RUCSANDRA MOLDOVEANU

A HAIRDRESSER had the surprise of her life when she found out she was related to Hollywood actor Russell Crowe.

Tarnia Rodgers, originally from Nottingham but who now lives in New Houghton near Mansfield, couldn't believe the star in her favourite film - Gladiator - is her long-lost second cousin.

The discovery was unearthed when the 51-year-old mother looked into family connections to Canada and New Zealand, followed by links to Wrexham in North Wales.

This was thanks to research that was carried out by the owners of a local care home, who were investigating the history of the building, called Hillbury House.

Tarnia, who has also traced her family history back to world-famous cricketers Jeff and Martin Crowe, said: "I couldn't believe it when I found out I was a second cousin to Russell Crowe.

"My client had been helping me to trace my roots, and when he told me about the link, I said 'Don't be so ridiculous.' When I realised it was true, I had to have a very large brandy!"

The house is a red brick Victorian villa that was originally built in 1864 for a wealthy businessman called John Bury. Almost a century later, the property was bought by Russell Crowe's great uncle, Frank Crowe, in May 1954 for £6,000.