Barbara Walters had no idea Nancy Shevell was seeing Paul McCartney

One of America's most famous journalists is related to Nancy Shevell - but even she had no idea that she was seeing Paul McCartney.

TV host Barbara Walters confirmed on TV yesterday that she was cousins with Shevell, adding: "I love her very much."

But she admits she was taken by complete surprise hen she saw newspaper reports showing Nancy kissing McCartney.

"I knew that there was someone, but she's very discreet, this is a very serious young woman," Walters said on her chat show The View.
"I did not know Nancy was with McCartney. I felt there was somebody, but who knew?"

Barbara spoke out because last week she attacked McCartney's ex Heather Mills on air - and insists that had nothing to do with her relative being the former Beatle's new love interest.

She insists she just felt compelled to speak out about Heather because of the rants the star made in the UK and U.S. blaming her handling by the press.

"She had been on two morning television shows blaming the press for the fact that she's having such a hard time," Walters said of Mills.

"Well the next day I came on and said, 'I know she's blaming the press, but my producers - I didn't say me - had a difficult time. She was somewhat demanding'.

"I almost never criticize someone I've interviewed.

"And no I did not know Nancy was with McCartney. I felt there was somebody but who knew?

"Then after it came out, and it leaked out that I was her cousin, I thought, 'Oh God...'" Walters recalled, holding her head in her hands.

Her colleagues then teased her that she only attacked McCartney's ex because she wanted to land the first interview with the singer about his new relationship.

As for the relationship itself, she said: "As far as Nancy and Paul McCartney - I think it's very nice."
The journalist had seemed proud when confirming her family link.

As a photo of McCartney and Shevell was flashed on the screen, she said: "See, that lovely, young, conservative, attractive-looking woman with Paul McCartney? "Well, I love her very much. She's my cousin."

"She's my second cousin. Her mother, who died, was my first cousin. And I have been very close to this young woman whose name is Nancy Shevell.

"She's separated from her husband, who's a nice man. The marriage wasn't going well, and they're separated."
"I knew that there was someone, but she's very discreet, this is a very serious young woman."

Walters - who also insisted Shevell did not know McCartney's late wife Linda McCartney, despite reports - said she had learnt her lesson.

"Certainly now I'd like to stay as far away from the subject as possible!" she laughed