More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Some famous television faces have returned to Kent to film a special TV series.
Sir David Jason, Pam Ferris and Philip Franks revisited the Darling Buds Farm in Bethersden, near Ashford, as part of a three-part series about Sir David’s life and career.
All three starred in the popular TV series The Darling Buds of May which was filmed at the farm.
The drama comedy show ran from 1991-1993 and also featured Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Staff at the farm have had to keep the visit a secret since April when they were joined by the famous faces for a day’s filming.
Camera crews captured Sir David – Pop Larkin in the hit series – returning to the farm and walking around the familiar location with two of his former co-stars, Pam Ferris (Ma Larkin) and Philip (who played Charley in the show), all as part of the new TV series.
The stars also went for a drive in the original Rolls-Royce featured in the show.
They were joined from America by Catherine Zeta Jones who connected via Skype for the online reunion with her fellow cast members and enjoyed a typical Larkins lunch spread during filming prepared by the farm's current "Ma Larkin" and housekeeper Nici Norris.
Simon Coulson is the current owner of the farm, which was formerly known as Buss Farm.
He was a huge fan of the programme and dreamed of a lifestyle like the one depicted on the show, while he was commuting from Kent to London every day doing an office job for BT.
In 2013, he bought the dilapidated farm and began transforming it into a holiday venue so other fans could visit the magical place they had seen on TV.
Guests can now stay in the original Larkins' farmhouse, The Oast House, or The Cart Lodge.
The farm has also been licensed to hold weddings and each year several couples marry there.
Mr Coulson said: “It was an amazing honour to have Sir David and the cast come and visit the farm.
“While the farmyard is not quite the junkyard it was when filming I think they all appreciated what we had done here and how we are keeping the magic alive.
“We’re still collecting farm memorabilia to fill up the yard and we’re enjoying looking out for farm antiques, our most recent acquisition being an original 1950s farm tractor.”
David Jason: My Life on Screen will be running for three episodes over the Bank Holiday weekend on UK Gold. The first episode is being aired today at 6pm however the episode that features the farm will be shown on Sunday at 6pm and the final installment on Monday, also at 6pm.
