VILLAGERS did a double take as singing superstar Susan Boyle turned up on their doorsteps to start shooting her first film.

The singer, who shot to worldwide fame after starring on Britain’s Got Talent, arrived in the village with a huge production crew and a host of other star names.

Nigel Robinson, chairman of Broadway Traders’ Association, said he was surprised to see half a dozen large production lorries roll in and start shooting at Tudor House, soon set to be home to a branch of the famous Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

Ms Boyle has been cast alongside John Hannah, Sylvester McCoy and Samantha Barks in a period drama called The Christmas Candle.

Filming is also taking place at nearby Stanway House and the film is set to be released in time for this year’s festive season.

Victoria McGuinness, project manager for the Ashmolean in Broadway, said the film’s location manager had picked out the 17th century building as the perfect place to shoot.

“We believe this is the first time this building has been used for filming,” she said.

“We do it at the Ashmolean in Oxford quite a lot and it is something that we are keen to encourage more of here.

There was a great deal of interest in what was going on.

The building literally became a movie set for the day.”

John Bunting, of HW Keil antiques, based in Tudor House, said: “They were there at the crack of dawn and refurbished one of the rooms completely. My new claim to fame is having been within 50 yards of Susan Boyle.”

More accustomed to warm music studios than bracing winter days in the Cotswolds, Miss Boyle admitted that her first filming experience had been a bit on the chilly side.

“I’m really enjoying getting dressed in the period costumes and stepping back in time and although it’s very cold filming on location, I’m wearing long johns under my bustle,” she said.

“Everyone on set is a delight to work with and it’s a fantastic experience to be part of the team.”