Hollywood star Tucci stops by for beer in Ilkley

Hollywood star and culinary enthusiast Stanley Tucci stopped by for a beverage break in Ilkley this week as he visited Yorkshire while filming an upcoming project.

Tucci, star of The Devil Wears Prada and The Hunger Games, as well as food tour show Searching for Italy, was spotted enjoying a beer and a coffee at two independent businesses in the town on Tuesday.

The actor enjoyed a half of Pilsner at The Ilkley Tap, before popping over the road for a double espresso at coffee shop Thirty Nine.

David Cook, who co-owns Thirty Nine with wife Hannah and daughter Sophie, said: "I saw this very suave gentleman walking past and I just thought, that's Stanley! I couldn't quite believe it."

Tucci was in Ilkley with a film crew to shoot a new series, but the project he was working on is unknown.

Cook said: "We've recently launched our own coffee brand, so I very quickly grabbed two bags of our new coffee and pounced upon him basically, and asked him if he'd like to try some."

Tucci came in with the crew and although the cafe had closed, the Cooks spent about half an hour making them all drinks before he posed for photos.

Cook said: "Our eldest daughter owns the coffee shop with us, so I introduced her to Stanley and her fiance and he congratulated them on their recent engagement, which was really lovely.

"He was such a down-to-earth, nice guy, happy for a chat, very conversational. His crew were absolutely amazing as well."

He added: "We did have a quick chat about Ilkley and he did say it's such a lovely place.

"I said there's loads of independent businesses around here. It's a really good, strong community vibe, real strong independent business scene in Ilkley. It's a great place to visit."

Tucci also visited Ilkley Tap, a bar on The Grove run by Ilkley Brewery.

"Lovely fella, he just popped in and ordered one of our beers, he had a half while he was waiting for his crew to set up," said Kris Bromley, the general manager.

"I couldn't tell it was him straight away, he had a flat cap on and it threw me a bit - I was a bit nervous, not going to lie!"

Tucci is also thought to have popped into Lishman's, the town's award-winning butcher.

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