VILLAGERS did a double take as singing superstar Susan Boyle turned up on their doorsteps to start shooting her first movie.

The singer who shot to worldwide fame after starring on Britain’s Got Talent arrived in the Worcestershire village of Broadway with a massive production crew and a host of other star names in tow.

Nigel Robinson, chairman of Broadway Traders’ Association, said he was surprised to see half a dozen large production lorries roll in and start shooting at Tudor House, which is set to be home to a branch of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.

Ms Boyle has been cast alongside John Hannah, Sylvester McCoy and Samantha Barks in a new period drama called the Christmas Candle. Filming is also taking place at nearby Stanway House and the movie is set to be released in time for this year’s festive season. Victoria McGuinness, project manager for Ashmolean in Broadway, said the film’s location manager had picked out the 17th century building as the perfect place to shoot.

“We believe this is the first time that this building has been used for filming,” she said.

“We do it at the Ashmolean in Oxford quite a lot and it is something that we are keen to encourage more of here.

“There was a great deal of interest in what was going on. The building literally became a movie set for the day.”

John Bunting, of HW Keil antiques which is based in the Tudor House, said: “They were there at the crack of dawn and the crew completely refurbished one of the rooms.

“My new claim to fame is having been within 50 yards of Susan Boyle.”

More accustomed to warm music studios than bracing winter days in the Cotswolds, Ms Boyle admitted that her first filming experience had been a bit on the chilly side.

“I’m really enjoying getting dressed in the period costumes and stepping back in time and although it’s very cold filming on location, I’m wearing long johns under my bustle,” she said.