LITTLE Britain came to small Somerset when a television mega star visited Cross. David Walliams, famed for his roles in the popular series, visited the sleepy village near Axbridge to meet the lover of one of his upcoming character roles.

LITTLE Britain came to small Somerset when a television mega star visited Cross.

David Walliams, famed for his roles in the popular series, visited the sleepy village near Axbridge to meet the lover of one of his upcoming character roles.

The 36-year-old will be playing Frankie Howerd in a docu-drama about the comedian's life, and visited his former residence, Wavering Down House.

The comic genius is famed for his roles as Sebastian, the Prime Minister's faithful right-hand man, Ray McCooney who lives in a fantasy medieval world in Scotland and Emily Howard, the rubbish transvestite, in the hit British sketch show.

But now he has taken on the role of a lifetime, playing Frankie Howerd in a new dramatisation of his life. The star is a 'massive fan' of the Carry On actor and once managed to get his autograph when he was a child.

To get a feel for the role, David Walliams visited Frankie's former lover, Dennis Heymer to chat about the man himself.

Frankie's former nurse, Chris Byrne, said: "When Dennis was talking about his life with Frank, David had tears in his eyes.

"I was surprised just how shy he was but he was really nice and loved visiting the house."

David visited the house in Webbington Road with Rafe Spall, who will be playing Dennis and whose father, Timothy, knew Frankie and told him about the comedian.

Spall is familiar with the area as he played DC Andy Cartwright in Hot Fuzz, which was filmed in Wells, the backdrop of the fictional Gloucestershire town of Sandford.

While the two actors stayed at the house on Friday and Saturday, they sampled local favourite Thatchers Gold cider, made in the real-life village of Sandford, and tucked into a hearty feast of boiled ham in raspberry juice.

Chris said: "They really enjoyed the meal and David even took some home in a doggy bag for his mum."

David Walliams will be returning to Cross in a few weeks to film in the garden of Wavering Down House. He will shoot a scene when a gas man came to the house and spotted Frankie without his wig on, much to the distress of the comedian.

Chris added: "David tried on Frank's wig and coat, and went into his bedroom. He said he found the whole experience quite spooky, especially when he sat on the couch where Frank died."

The main part of filming will take place in a London studio, near where Eastenders is shot, and Dennis and Chris will be visiting it in the next few weeks.