One of the most recognisable faces in TV comedy filmed in Kent last week.

Ben Miller, one half of the Armstrong and Miller comedy duo, was recording a five minute sketch at Stanleys of Marden petrol station in Albion Road on Sunday, September 1.

Accompanied by a large production crew, the star was acting in a taster episode for a currently unnamed program.

Liz Stanley, owner of the station, said: “My oldest son works for a TV company and heard that they were looking for a village that still has a filling station. They wanted a real place and my son said ‘why not contact my mum?’

“About two weeks ago production and location managers had a look and decided to use it.

“I was here all the time they were filming. They were very good at working around me. They knew I was interested and wanted to have a look. It was a great experience to see the effort that goes into perfecting each shot.

“Ben was a real gentleman and kept a great humour and positive drive no matter how many times a re-take was called for, stopping to pose with the locals between shots, he even took the time to visit my mum who wasn’t well enough to stand and watch.”

The scene, which took about three hours to shoot, was about a farmer trying to rent a DVD from a late night gas station.

When he arrived the shop was closed so he mimed what he wanted through the window, leading to trouble with interpretation.

After filming the Death in Paradise star spoke to the Kent Messenger and joked: “We wanted to film in one of the most beautiful places in our country but we had to make do with Marden.

“Jokes aside, it was lovely. We had a really fun time at the service station.

“It was really funny meeting Liz’s mum. When you meet people you rather hope you’re presentable, but I turned up in my costume, but she seemed to take it in her stride. All in all, filming was terrific.”