Scottish actor and novelist Tom Conti is related to Napoleon Bonaparte, according to recently launched project ScotlandsDNA.

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The Paisley-born star discovered that he shared the same DNA marker as Napoleon, known as M34, after he joined the ancestral project.

ScotlandsDNA was set up last year to uncover the genetic roots of the Scots by the rector of St Andrews University historian Alistair Moffat and Dr Jim Wilson, a geneticist based at Edinburgh University.

Mr Conti said: "Some friends said they weren't surprised to find out Napoleon and I were related, but it came as quite a shock to me. In fact, I didn't believe it at first. I burst out laughing when they told me. I have got used to it now and am really rather pleased.

"When I joined the DNA project, I expected my mother's side would be the most interesting. She was of Irish stock and I thought her thick black hair, which I inherited, would reveal a Spanish connection, perhaps from Armada sailors shipwrecked in Ireland. But it was my father's side that proved more interesting."

According to Mr Moffat, the actor's DNA reveals his male lineage is Saracen in origin. It is thought that his ancestors settled in Italy around the 10th century before one of them, Giovanni Buonaparte, moved to the island of Corsica. That family branch produced Napoleon.

Mr Moffat said: "The crucial point is we know what DNA markers Napoleon had on his Y-chromosome. Last year, a reliquary containing some of his hairs was opened and DNA was extracted from their roots. The genetic marker from it proved to be identical to the one found in Prince Charles Napoleon Bonaparte, the French politician who is the great great grandnephew of Napoleon

"All have an M34 marker, including Tom Conti. He is clearly a close relative of Napoleon. Only DNA could have told that story."

From a sample of a person's saliva the project's scientists can obtain a DNA marker that can pinpoint their ancestry. So far the Scots who have given samples have come from a wide range of ancestries including Vikings, Irish and Berbers who are from North Africa.

More than 1000 people, who each paid £170 to take part, have provided DNA to the ScotlandsDNA project.