Yorkshire YATTER

Lisa Byrne investigates why stars of the small and big screen are converging on our most cinematic county

Throughout my childhood I sadly only ever spotted two famous people in Yorkshire. One was Pope John Paul II, a mere speck in the distance at York Knavesmire, and the other was former Liverpool footballer, Emlyn Hughes, stepping out of a car on York’s Coney Street to o cially open a sports shop.

Once I left to work as a showbiz journalist in London, where the streets are crammed with celebrities, I certainly got my fix, and fill, of famous faces – but after years of fake air kissing and superficial cocktail conversations, I was looking forward to moving back up north to mingle with more down to earth Yorkshire folk. So, imagine my surprise when I discovered that you can’t pop out for a Bettys Rascal or wander down to York Minster for a moment of quiet reflection without tripping over a thespian, pop star or Hollywood royalty.

Being of Roman origins, Maximus Decimus, aka Gladiator star Russell Crowe, must have felt at home on a recent visit to York. Despite being a worldwide star, Russell, just like the rest of us civilians, had to join the huge queue at Bettys in St Helen’s Square. I’ve been told Mr Crowe waited very patiently, happily chatting away to locals.

Over in the Yorkshire Moors, the bemused residents of small Yorkshire village Levisham, near Pickering, were left stunned when Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise touched down in a helicopter to record scenes for Mission Impossible. While walking her dog, B&B owner, Sarah Jones, literally bumped into the star, who hailed the Yorkshire Moors as being ‘beautiful’.

Hollywood also came to West Yorkshire when Samuel L Jackson enjoyed dinners at popular restaurant Pride and Provenance while filming Marvel’s Secret Invasion at The Piece Hall in Halifax.

But a host of home-grown talent also love visiting our county. Just before Christmas, sta at Haxby gift shop Thora & The Prince were immediately put on edge when Happy Valley’s villain Tommy Lee Royce crept in looking shifty. Thankfully, actor James Norton, who plays evil Tommy, proved to be utterly charming, telling sta he had to do a spot of last-minute Christmas shopping.

A major reason for the surge in celebrities visiting our county is due to the successful growth of Leeds-based Screen Yorkshire, which has produced a host of award-winning dramas from Victoria to Gentleman Jack

And with the array of Yorkshire’s stunning locations, ranging from country houses, fantastic coastline, rural market towns and gritty urban cities, it’s no wonder celebrities are flocking to our glorious county.

My highlights for the month of August…

Judging the stylish racegoers at York’s Ebor Races.

Pretending I’m prancing around Capri by slathering on Sisley’s new Dolce Vita Summer skincare.

Preparing for the arrival of our new cocker spaniel puppy, Father Dougal.

Indulging in a peaceful night’s sleep by applying Kiss the Moon’s Sleep Balm to pulse points.