Simon as Will in The Inbetweeners with co stars (from left to right) Blake Harrison as Neil, James Buckley as Jay and Joe Thomas as Simon. Picture courtesy the BBC

by James Scott
jscott@thekmgroup.co.uk

Stars of hit comedy The Inbetweeners have paid a surprise visit to Chilham and are considering it as a possible location for their next sitcom.

Actors Simon Bird and Joe Thomas, who play hapless teenagers Will McKenzie and Simon Cooper in the E4 sitcom, were spotted having lunch at the Woolpack Inn before checking out the village square last Friday.

Barmaid Rose Calloway, who works at the 600-year-old pub, said: “They came in for a meal with us at lunchtime on Friday. I couldn’t believe it was them.

“Apparently they were looking at the possibility of filming in Chilham. They had been round a couple of villages.

“They seemed really nice in person. They were deep in conversation during the meal but afterwards I couldn’t help myself and asked if I could have my photo taken with them.”

A spokesman from Big Talk Productions confirmed they had been looking at Chilham as a potential filming location for a new sitcom pilot.

Publicist Rich Cain said: “Simon and Joe are currently looking at possible locations to film and that might be one.

“Filming is due to take place next month but there is no official date for the pilot.”

The sitcom pilot called Chickens is set in a 'sleepy English village’ during the First World War and is about three young men who are shunned by their local community for refusing to fight.

The director is listed as Steve Bendelack who has directed comedies including The League of Gentlemen, The Royle Family, The Mighty Boosh and Little Britain.

The actors have nearly finished filming the big screen version of The Inbetweeners which is due to be released in August.

Kirsty Newbury from the Kent Film Office said: “Chilham is a first class filming location that can offer great advantages to visiting productions.

"The village is in a beautiful setting and has it’s own 'look’ as well as great supporting infrastructure in terms of parking, accommodation and transport links.

“But above all, it has very film friendly residents who are always up for a challenge: be it turning the square into a winter wonderland or an 18th Century country market, including the livestock.”