Bill Nighy, the star of films including Love Actually and Pirates of the Caribbean, posed for photos and chatted to staff after visiting Nottinghamshire's Welbeck Estate. The actor was a guest at a private viewing of the new sculpture exhibitions 'In Good Company', by former French fashion designer Nicole Farhi and Lucille Lewin, the founder of Whistles, at the Harley Foundation gallery in north Notts.
The artwork included a bust of himself by Nicole Farhi, who was head designer at French Connection and founded her own label but later left her stellar career to become a sculptor, working with clay. As well as viewing the exhibition, which runs until September 24, Nighy visited the award-winning farm shop and cafe and happily posed for photos with staff. Amongst them was David Wall, head of fresh foods in the farm shop, who is celebrating 10 years' service.
Hannah Marples, a gallery assistant, said: "He was very lovely. He visited the entire courtyard while he was here. He was really charming, so cool, everything that you wanted him to be."
