A film crew descended on a church today stoking people’s hopes of catching a glimpse of a celebrity duo.

Filmmakers have recently used Sandwich and Deal as a backdrop for a new TV ad starring Ant and Dec.

The TV personalities have been brand ambassadors for the bank since 2019 but have not been spotted in either of the towns this week.

Today, the commercial’s cast and crew were spotted using St Peter’s Church in Sandwich as a base while they shot for two hours.

Annemarie Huigen from the church said she was so proud to hear the town would be on television again when she received a call from the manager adding she was asked to keep it quiet.

“The manager rang me and asked if they could use the church to hold people including the cast and crew when they were waiting to film,” she said.

“They filmed here for two hours and also in Market Street. They filmed in Deal yesterday too.

“I thought Ant and Dec might be in Sandwich because at the time, the producer told me it was to be kept quiet.”

But, today she found out the comedy duo would not be in the town as they had already filmed their parts for the ad.

She said: “We were all very excited thinking Ant and Dec were going to come but today we found out they filmed their part in London.

“I am quite pleased Sandwich is being used yet again for filming of an advert. Yet again Sandwich is being used as a backdrop and on the map.”

Mrs Huigen added she has been told the advert will be a play on the words Sandwich and Santander.

This is not the first time Sandwich has been used as a filming spot.

Last year, ex-England footballer Gary Lineker and TV stars Gemma Collins and Fred Sirieix, were in the town to take part in a debate on whether crisps should be eaten in sandwiches, led by Walkers.

Kent Film Office has been contacted for comment.