by Andy Gray

A plasterer told how he rescued TV stars Ant and Dec when their hot-air balloon crash landed near where he worked.

Jim O'Cock, 42, said he and colleagues rushed to pull the stars out of a hedge when their basket came down to earth with a resounding bump.

The presenters were filming a new series of Britain's Got Talent over the skies of Maidstone when the balloon apparently ran out of fuel.

For a few terrifying seconds, dad-of-two Jim, who was working at a nearby Hillreed Homes site in Heath Farm, Wateringbury thought he was about to witness a tragedy.

He said he watched helplessly as the balloon "fell out of the sky."

"I had no idea who was inside, all I could see was the pilot pulling frantically on the ropes to stop it smashing into a tree.

"It hit the ground and bounced a couple of times before landing in a hedge.

Audio: Jim O'Cock tells of Ant and Dec rescue

"Me and a couple of colleagues rushed over and pulled at the canopy to stop the basket getting completely tangled.

"I shouted jokingly, 'nice of you to drop in' and this Geordie voice replied, 'there's always a comedian isn't there?.'

"I recognised the accent straight away and then the pair clambered out."

The relieved stars chatted with their startled saviours and told them their Union Jack balloon had taken off from the Ramada Hotel in Maidstone.

They had been filming the opening credits for the award-winning talent show.

A helicopter fitted with a camera had circled them throughout the journey.

Jim said when he came to their aid he wasn't tempted to ask the boys to shout "I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here," in honour of the reality show they front.

He said: "They were absolutely lovely people, so down to earth.

"I told Ant he looked a bit shaken after the balloon landed, but his reply isn't printable.

"They said Kent looked lovely from above and asked about the oast houses we're working on because they'd never seen one before."

Ant and Dec might not have been impressed with their hair-raising escapade last Wednesday, March 16, but Jim's son Ellis, eight, was delighted to hear about Dad's brush with fame.

Jim said: "The trouble is, every day since he's asked to come to work with me in case I see them again."