The Northumberland Coast is so well-regarded for its seafood that it played host to a famous TV chef this week.
One half of MasterChef's dynamic presenting duo, John Torode, spent time in Seahouses and stopped off at Bamburgh Castle during filming for a segment of This Morning. The Australian-British chef is said to have cooked fish cakes while taking in the sublime views of Holy Island and the Farnes from the ancient fortress's West Ward.
Claire Watson-Armstrong of Bamburgh Castle said: "He's so lovely! I was a bit starstruck because he really is one of my favourite TV chefs, right from the days when he first came on This Morning.
Read more: You're on fire! Masterchef's John Torode shows why it's best to leave McMuffins to McDonald's
John arrived at the castle by "zipping up the hill" on his push bike, before enjoying a coffee and soup in the tea room and having a "good chat" with the staff. Claire continued: "The staff all said how down to earth he was with a real sense of humour, he's so approachable and engaging."
The chef also shared a story on his official Instagram page that he had spent time at Swallow Fish in Seahouses, with owner Patrick Wilkin. But it was Bamburgh where he got cooking.
Claire added: "He mentioned the kippers up here were very good, he was very impressed by Swallow kippers and he went to Craster as well. It was a beautiful day, and he was cooking out on the West Ward looking across to Holy Island and the Farne Islands.
"He was doing something with spinach. I think he was making fish cakes!"
"He and his team were blown away by the Northumberland Coast and I think he'd really fallen in love with the area. He loves the big open spaces and I think it reminded him of the big open beaches in Australia, he told me."
John Torode's segment filmed in Northumberland for This Morning is expected to be aired in January. And as far as we know, his kitchen didn't catch fire while he was cooking on our coastline!
Who is the most famous person you've met out and about on the Northumberland Coast? Let us know!
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