Hollywood A-lister enjoys low-key meal at town pub

A pub has been propelled into the spotlight by a visit from Bafta-winning actor Tom Hardy.

The superstar dropped into the White Lion in Tenterden where he left pub staff “on a complete high” after enjoying a pizza on Saturday with his wife Charlotte Riley, two children and some friends.

White Lion chef Sarah Matthews plucked up the courage to ask for a picture with the Peaky Blinders star, who turned 42 on Sunday.

She said: “I was quite brave but I couldn’t resist asking for a photo as I’m such a big Tom Hardy fan.

“I picked my moment just before he was leaving and he said it was absolutely fine to take a picture.

“I told him that I’d cooked his pizza and he said it was very good.

“When he came in it was just as if a normal guy was having lunch with his family and friends. People started noticing him but they didn’t bother him on the whole.”

Since the White Lion posted the picture of Mr Hardy and Sarah on its Facebook page, it has had more than 1,600 likes and 2,000 comments.

Sarah added: “He’s a massive dog lover and was giving all the dogs a hug when they came in and there was a St Bernard that he made a real fuss of.

“Tom seemed very soft-natured and all the staff were left on a complete high after the visit.

“My partner Fraser Pearson is the general manager of the White Lion and he was at another site when Tom visited and he was gutted to miss him.”

Harry Newick, a kitchen assistant at Cafe Rouge in the high street, said he was “starstruck” after meeting the actor near the restaurant.

The 19-year-old said: “I didn’t clock it was him at first so I asked him.

“All I wanted was a photo as I’m a massive Tom Hardy fan. I was a bit starstruck when I got into work.”

The actor was also spotted shopping in Waitrose and visited Hunnybeez Cafe in Manor Row.