From Ed Sheeran celebrating with Ipswich Town to Jonathan Bailey enjoying a gataway in Saxmundham – here are some stars spotted in Suffolk this year
From Viscount Anthony and Draco Malfoy to one of the biggest Ipswich Town supporters – here are some of the stars spotted in Suffolk this year.
Over the past 12 months, several big names passed through the county, with some enjoying a weekend gataway and another savouring a pint at a Bury St Edmunds pub.
Some fans were even able to snap selfies.
Do you remember which household names visited the county – or were you among the lucky few to meet them face-to-face?
Here are some of the Suffolk locations where celebrities were spotted this year:
Ben Champniss - spotted by a fan
To kick the year off, Ben Champniss, who has played market-stall holder Shrimpy in Eastenders since 2014, was seen near Superdrug, in Bury.
Mandy went into town with her family to pick up some new glasses from Specsavers and she could not believe her eyes when she saw someone she had been watching for years on television.
“It felt like bumping into an old friend, which is really strange because we had obviously never met, but I just felt like I knew him because we watch him all the time,” she said.
“I just couldn’t believe it. At first I couldn’t place him, but I just had a feeling I knew him from somewhere.
“Then it hit me – ‘oh my god, that’s Shrimpy’.”
During his visit to Bury, Ben also enjoyed a Sunday roast at The Cadogan, in Ingham, and praised his beer from The Brewshed.
Tom Felton - enjoying a pint
Bury has been no stranger to big names this year, including one household name who would have had any Harry Potter fan wishing they were also at the Fox Inn
In April, actor Tom Felton, who played the antagonist Draco Malfoy, visited the Eastgate Street pub for some lunch.
One staff member, Imogen, managed to grab a quick selfie with the actor when he paid his bill.
Angela Rippon - visit to the cathedral
During the spring, Angela Rippon was spotted at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
The award-winning journalist, television presenter and Strictly Come Dancing contestant visited the town before compèring the High Sheriff of Suffolk’s Command Performance charity event, at the Theatre Royal.
Last year, she was a contestant on Strictly and made it to the BBC show’s Blackpool week.
She has presented television shows including Antiques Roadshow and Rip Off Britain.
Presenter Jeff Braizer - surprise visit
Another famous name paid a surprise visit to a salon owner on Bury’s Moreton Hall estate.
Stephen Trowles, who runs Stephen John salon, was visited by BBC’s The One Show presenter Jeff Brazier after being recognised as ‘person of the week’ by the television programme.
Stephen, who lives in Bury and is known as Steve, has worked with the cancer unit at West Suffolk Hospital for more than a decade, helping women as they lose their hair through chemotherapy.
He also works with My WiSH Charity to host ‘Mama B’ days, which are a once-a-month wellbeing day, giving cancer treatment patients the chance to have free treatments at the salon with the help of volunteers.
Jamie Oliver - bookshop visit
Staff members at Harris and Harris Books, in Clare, were also paid a surprise visit – this time by a celebrity chef.
Jamie Oliver was spotted at the bookshop in March and signed a few copies of his cookbooks, which were then available for purchase.
Pictures of Mr Oliver were shared on the bookshop’s social media, with the post saying staff were delighted by his visit.
Jonthan Bailey - relaxing at an estate
An actor famous for his role in one of Netflix’s biggest series was spotted in East Suffolk.
Jonathan Bailey, who plays Viscount Anthony in the romance drama Bridgerton, took to social media to share images of his getaway to Wilderness Reserve, in Saxmundham.
The 36-year-old enjoyed a walk on the grounds of the 5,000 acre estate, while he shared pictures with a dog and toasting marshmallows over a fire.
The English actor’s roles on stage and television have included the BAFTA-winning ITV crime drama Broadchurch.
Kate Ferdinand - weekend gataway
Enjoying a break at the same estate was Kate Ferdinanad with her husband Rio.
The former Only Way Is Essex star shared family snaps of her Easter weekend at Wilderness Reserve with husband, ex-England and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, 45.
The 32-year-old stayed at the Suffolk estate – a collection of exclusive-use country houses and luxury holiday cottages – over the Easter weekend.
Ed Sheeran
Yes, he may be an international superstar with chart-topping hits, but Ed Sheeran’s support for the county continues.
Sheeran has made a few headlines this year, starting with his involvement with Ipswich Town.
The Framlingham pop start has been a lifelong fan of the Blues and sponsor for the men’s and women’s team since 2021.
Following the towns promotion to the Premier League, Sheeran was spotted partying with the Ipswich Town squad.
In a video posted on his Instagram, Sheeran could be seen leading the squad in a chant about their promotion push after they had sung his hit Shape Of You together.
In June, a Stowmarket man shared a destination with the singer-songwriters on a train.
Oliver Lester was travelling on a train when he spotted Sheeran chatting to the conductor about football.
He said: “I asked if I could burden him for a photo and he said yes.
“He was with a girl who said ‘he’s a selfie pro now’ and he took me a picture.”
And earlier this month, Sheeran paid a surprise visit to youngsters from St Mary le Tower’s choir, who were reharsing for Christmas carol services.
During his visit, he told the group about how singing in a choir helped him to hone his skills as a child, while complimenting their abilities and encouraging them to practice.
He had been invited by the church’s vicar, the Rev Tom Mumford, to open its new song school, at Tower House.
The Rev Mumford has known Ed since they were teenagers.
