Celebrities spotted in Suffolk 2023: From Martin Freeman in Stowmarket to Rylan Clark visiting Bury St Edmunds and Thetford and Ed Sheeran in Stowupland

From Sherlock and Watson – to Rylan and of course that singer with the red hair, here are some of the stars spotted in Suffolk during 2023.

Seven famous faces have passed through the county over the last 12 months, some filming and one even trying his luck on the market.

Read on to see if you remember which Hollywood star enjoyed an ice cream in Woodbridge, or the television star who stopped off at a garage near Bury St Edmunds.

Martin Freeman – spotted passing through Stowmarket

In February, the actor Martin Freeman was reportedly spotted by commuters in Stowmarket as he filmed on a Greater Anglia train.

Freeman is a well known face on film and television screens and has appeared in The Office, The Hobbit Trilogy and Sherlock Holmes – where he played Watson.

At the time Greater Anglia confirmed film crews had been on board two of their services but would not give any further detail.

Stacey Solomon – visited Cracknells petrol station in Thurston

Back in June former X Factor favourite, and I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! winner, Stacey Solomon was seen popping into a petrol station near Bury St Edmunds.

A member of staff at Cracknells in Thurston said the television star and popular Instagrammer was in Suffolk because she was filming for her BBC TV show Sort Your Life Out.

It was also reported that Stacey stopped off for a bite to eat at a local pub.

Benedict Cumberbatch paid a surprise visit to a Woodbridge ice cream shop

The summer seemed to attract celebrities to Suffolk, including Hollywood star Benedict Cumberbatch.

In July the Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Strange actor surprised Ugur Vata, the owner of the Creamery and Deli in Woodbridge.

Ugur explained: “He was wearing sunglasses and a hat so nobody recognised him.

“When he walked in, I froze. I couldn’t remember his name. I was thinking Sherlock Holmes, and because he had such a mouthful surname, I couldn’t crack it straight away.”

The A-lister opted for a mint chocolate ice cream but also tried some unusual flavours including black garlic.

Ugur said that the visit of Cumberbatch gave his business a ‘huge boost’ and hopes he will visit again in the future.

Rylan Clark filmed in Thetford and Bury St Edmunds

July saw another former X Factor star spotted in Suffolk.

Radio and television presenter Rylan Clark was seen filming for an upcoming documentary.

Part of the filming took place on Kingfisher Road on the Moreton Hall estate in Bury St Edmunds.

Whilst in Thetford the broadcaster spoke to the football club’s team manager Matt Morton, who is openly gay.

He also interviewed club chairman Nigel Armes who said the presenter was very complimentary about the club.

‘Bosh’ – Tom Skinner popped up at two Suffolk markets

Shoppers in both Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury spotted a familiar face on the market in August.

Tom Skinner, who found fame on BBC show the Apprentice enjoyed meeting fans on Bury St Edmunds market on August 30, as he ‘tried to nick a few quid’ selling champagne flutes and flat caps.

Skinner, a West Ham super fan who can often be heard on Talk Sport, was back in Suffolk the next day popping up at Sudbury market.

Fred Sirieix relaxed at a spa near Woodbirdge

More recently spotted in the I’m A Celebrity… jungle, Channel 4’s First Dates favourite Fred Sirieix spent a couple of nights at the Seckford Hall Hotel and Spa.

Fred was happy to have his photo taken with the team at the venue near Woodbridge.

Ed Sheeran stopped off at Stowupland Fish Shop

Yes he might live in Suffolk, but it was still a shock for residents in the village of Stowupland, near Stowmarket, when global superstar Ed Sheeran visited their local fish and chip shop.

The Framlingham-based singer and wife Cherry Seaborn, caused a stir in October, with an order that included scampi, fish and chips, curry sauce, mushy peas and two cans of drink.

Ed was happy to have selfies taken with staff and customers.

Stefanie Marie and her friend Paula Wiggins asked Ed for a photo, having just missed him when he had pulled pints at Portman Road earlier that week.

“Ed said they really fancied fish and chips and this shop was recommended to them,” said Stefanie.

She added: “Paula then invited them back to mine for Prosecco and karaoke but sadly they had to get going.”