BROADCHURCH stars Olivia Colman and James D’Arcy took part in the annual torchlight procession through Bridport and West Bay last night.

Hundreds of people packed the streets for the procession, which set off just after 9pm, and were left open mouthed as Olivia Colman and James D’Arcy picked up their torches and joined in the fun.

The torchlight procession starts outside Bridport Town Hall in Bucky Doo Square, before the procession leads off and heads towards West Bay. Once at the beach in West Bay, the torches are thrown on to a bonfire.

The pair helped lead the procession of hundreds of people behind the Carnival Princess’ float, and were happy to pose for selfies with fans.

Shaun Fox, Bridport Carnival Chairman, said: “It was nice to see them there and it was nice for them to take part in our community.

“I was in contact with the location manager and he asked if we minded if he took part and he said there was a possibility of a few of the stars coming down, but he didn’t say which ones.

“It was nice that they did turn up, and because the Mayor and Mayoress drove down to West Bay, Olivia Colman and James D’Arcy actually led the procession behind the princess float.

“I think they were a bit over whelmed a little bit and I know a lot of people were gobsmacked to see them there and to see that we had celebrities as part of the procession.

“Broadchurch has been good for Bridport and for West Bay, but the carnival goes on every year and it was nice that it coincided with the filming and it was nice for them to be a part of it.

Filming for the second series is now well underway for the ITV crime drama, and the cameras returned to West Bay last week to film more scenes for the smash-hit show.

Cameras will remain in West Bay until this Thursday, and stars Olivia Colman and David Tennant have both been spotted in the area.

The show is set to be screened in 2015, and the stellar cast has expanded with the additions of Hollywood legend Charlotte Rampling plus household names such as Marianne Jean-Baptiste, James D’Arcy, Eve Myles and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.