A WEYMOUTH restaurant got the seal of approval from celebrity chef Tom Kerridge.

The star of BBC’s Food & Drink show visited Portland to film a new programme, and stopped by Billy Winters to take in the scenery and chat with owner Nigel Bloxham and his staff.

Nigel said: “They came here to film for a new BBC show, which he said would be screened in January.

“Then he said he was going on to film at other locations on Portland.”

Nigel added it was "brilliant" to have a celebrity visit.

He said: “Tom told us he loved the location of our restaurant, as well as the theme and the coffee. He is a really nice chap.

“I’ve met him a couple of times before and his personality on TV is exactly the same as it is in real life. He is one of the world’s happy people.”

Tom Kerridge has appeared on Great British Menu as a judge and competitor, and has also appeared in Saturday Kitchen.

He became a co-host of Food & Drink this year and has presented his own food programmes, Tom Kerridge’s Proper Pub Food and Spring Kitchen with Tom Kerridge, both on the BBC.

The Crab House Café, which is also run by Nigel, tweeted the news about their famous visitor, saying: “The great Tom Kerridge at Billy Winters bar and diner this morning.”

Nigel is no stranger to the small screen himself, having featured on the Food & Drink programme. He has also published a book, The Crab House Café.

The chef joins a host of celebrities flocking to film at Dorset’s beautiful coast.

Heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne was spotted in September with a film crew at Portland Bill. He posed for pictures with fans and staff at the Lobster Pot café.

Further west, singing sensation Gary Barlow was spotted enjoying a stay in Lyme Regis in September and Stephen Hawking also took a holiday with his family in the town over the summer.