Would you recognise these comedians if they were eating in the same pub as you?
The Fox in Lyng. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: IAN BURT
Two of the nation's favourite funny men have given a rural mid Norfolk pub a ringing endorsement after dropping in for three meals in a row.
Paul Whitehouse (left) and Bob Mortimer (second right) with Fox at Lyng landlords Gavin Hunt and Vikki King. Picture supplied by Vikki King - Credit: Vikki King
Comedians Bob Mortimer (Vic & Bob and Shooting Stars), and Paul Whitehouse (The Fast Show, Harry & Paul) enjoyed lunch yesterday with a film crew and then ate dinner together in the evening at The Fox at Lyng, near Dereham.
They happily posed for photos with landlords Gavin Hunt and Vikki King before returning again for lunch today.
Mr Whitehouse is no stranger to Norfolk having attended the University of East Anglia in the late 1970s where he met former Fast Show co-star Charlie Higson and formed a punk band.
Mrs King said they hinted they would be back again tonight.
Dean Macey co-presents ITV4s The Big Fish Off. Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Archant � 2011
The pair told the publicans that they were filming a fishing programme nearby.
'I think it is for The Big Fish Off and they were at Lenwade lakes,' said Mrs King.
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'We knew a film crew was coming in but they don't usually bring the celebrities with them.
'We recognised them straight away but they were so down-to-earth.
'I did the embarrassing thing and asked to take their photo as we don't get that many celebrities out here in rural Norfolk and they insisted myself and Gavin were in it with them.
'They were really happy to stop and chat - I think if they come in again I will ask for autographs as well.'
Mrs King said staff were quite discreet and it appeared that few other diners recognised the celebrity faces, leaving the pair to enjoy their meal.
'They need some down time as well,' she said. 'When they came in for dinner on their own they were just laughing and joking together.
'I was a bit star struck as I grew up watching them on television and there they were in my pub.
'They must have enjoyed the food to keep coming back so it is a good endorsement for us.'
Last year The Fox was named Best Pub in the EDP Norfolk Food & Drink Awards.
The Big Fish Off is an ITV4 show in which professional angler Ali Hamidi and Olympian turned fishing enthusiast Dean Macey each captain a celebrity through a series of fishing challenges.
The teams have to master a variety of techniques and tackle with the captains imparting top tips and cunning know-how to try and come out with the win.
