FORMER footballer turned screen star Vinnie Jones, and Upstairs Downstairs actor Simon Williams are just two of the big-name stars who have been filming in Clearwell last week.

American network TV channel ABC has been filming scenes for the second series of their medieval comedy musical series, Galavant. The action took place in and around Clearwell Caves – which has been home to a host of TV programmes and cinema-released films.

The first series of Galavant has received excellent reviews, following its broadcast last winter, with two episodes aired back-to-back over four Sunday evenings, between series of Once Upon A Time.

The plot involves a central character, the gallant Galavant, played by Joshua Sasse, who is trying to get back the love of his life, Queen Madalena, played by Mallory Jansen, from the clutches of evil King Richard, characterised by Timothy Omundson.

The first series also attracted a host of special guests stars, including Rutger Hauer, (Blade Runner etc), Hugh Bonneville, (Downton, W1A, 2012), plus comedy stars ‘Wierd Al’ Yankovic and Ricky Gervais and star of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Little Britain: Anthony Head – who is no stranger to the Clearwell area, having previously filmed Merlin there.

Each episode features a selection of songs, many of them pastiches of well- known show songs, and the series has been compared in style to Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

The first episode features Vinnie Jones playing a tough-guy soldier, Gareth, who has a tendency to suddenly break into song.

Rumours circulating around the local area suggest that the production crew were busy hiring horses for the film, with around ten being selected. Among the props that they used were a stagecoach which, while it appeared to be made from wood, was actually constructed from steel.

Stars playing in the film also stayed locally, with Simon Williams, (of Upstairs Downstairs fame) being seen at Speech House, where he is said to have charmed the staff, and who took an interest in the Verderers Court and the history and tradition that goes with it.

Producers and location staff are, as usual, being tight-lipped about their future filming plans in the area.

•The ‘film circus’ that popped up at Puzzlewood last month – bringing back memories of the epic Star Wars shoot of last year – has been confirmed as the crew and cast that are working on filming the prequel to Snow White and the Huntsman, called just The Huntsman. Despite mixed reviews, the first film made around $400 million.

It will be released in April of next year, while the eagerly anticipated new Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens movie, with reportedly ‘lengthy’ scenes shot in Puzzlewood, will be in cinemas from Christmas of this year.