Disney’s Rivals star David Tennant films in small town

Filming for a TV adaptation of one of Dame Jilly Cooper’s novels has returned to a Wiltshire town.

Corsham was used as a location for the first series of Rivals, which stars actors David Tennant, Emily Atack and Danny Dyer, among others.

A number of shops have had their fronts tweaked as the series is set in the1980s, with Boots being turned into an old-fashioned Waitrose and the town hall being transformed into a polling station.

“It’s really exciting to see the town so vibrant,” said shopkeeper Daisy Coppin.

Jewellers Coppins has been transformed into Cotchester Jewellers for the series.

Ms Coppin said she had been notified about the filming a few weeks ago and the shop was able to stay open.

“I think it’s really good for the town in general. It raises the profile, it gets us some notification everywhere,” she added.

While the shop was in the background of shots for the first series, she hopes it will feature more prominently this time.

Matt Booker runs The Corsham Toy Shop and said it was a “bonus” when something was filmed in the town.

He remembered once having an actor in full Victorian costume buying Lego sets for another production.

“People love it. It brings trade to the town. Tourists come and find where things were filmed and take photos,” Mr Booker said.

He added that filming for BBC series Poldark had been a “massive boon” in the past.

Not only have many businesses on High Street had sign changes, but the streets of Corsham have also been lined with classic cars.

The Disney Plus adaption of Rivals is based on Jilly Cooper’s best-selling Rutshire Chronicles series.

The author previously said she had “adored seeing the world fall in love with her beloved characters”.