A Hollywood star has traded the world of acting for pulling pints as he volunteered at a local Wiltshire pub.
The Swan, in Enford, was forced to close its doors back in June after its owner revealed rising costs had meant it was impossible to stay open.
But since then residents have pulled together to keep the pub going and brought it into community ownership, as it is the village’s final amenity after its post office, garage, shop and bakery all shut.
One of the locals fighting for The Swan is BAFTA-winning star Rupert Everett, who stepped behind the bar as a volunteer.
Sharing a snap of the actor, 66, on Instagram last week, the pub wrote: ‘Our wonderful neighbour, actor and film star Rupert Everett has been working shifts behind the bar here, pulling pints!
‘We are thrilled and indebted to him for his help in joining our remarkable band of volunteers who’ve been working tirelessly to save The Swan.’
Hollywood star Rupert Everett has traded the world of acting for pulling pints as he volunteered at a local Wiltshire pub
The Swan, in Enford, was forced to close its doors back in June after its owner revealed rising costs had meant it was impossible to stay open
They quoted Rupert as saying: ‘There has been an amazing effort by our community to keep this pub open. Times are hard for rural pubs and this is the heart and hub of the village.
‘I think that it is important to express my support. I have recently joined CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale – as I know that real ale is the lifeblood of pubs both locally and nationally.
‘Our small local breweries need our help, cask ale must survive – it is almost a uniquely British tradition.’
The pub added: ‘Thanks so much Rupert! What a local hero.’
Meanwhile Steve Stringer, 67, secretary of CAMRA’s Salisbury and south Wiltshire division,’ told The Times: ‘The villagers were a bit distraught and wanted to try and keep it going.
‘So a whole group of people have clubbed together and done up the garden, did up the pub, repainted it and formed a rota of 30 people for running the bar, including Rupert Everett.’
‘He definitely wants to be part of it because it’s the heart of the village,’ he added.
It comes after Rupert was a surprise face in attendance at Rivals writer Dame Jilly Cooper’s cast party, after it was announced he would be joining the show alongside Hollywood actress Hayley Attwell.
Sharing a snap of the actor, 66, on Instagram last week, the pub wrote: ‘Our wonderful neighbour, actor and film star Rupert Everett has been working shifts behind the bar here’ (Pictured in October)
It comes after Rupert was a surprise face in attendance at Rivals writer Dame Jilly Cooper’s cast party, after it was announced he would be joining the show (Pictured)
Mission Impossible star Hayley Atwell will be playing Helen Gordon, Rupert Campbell-Black’s ex-wife and mother of his two children, Marcus and Tabitha.
While Napoleon actor Rupert Everett is set to take on the role of her husband Malise Gordon, Campbell Black’s former show-jumping coach and mentor.
Rivals’ executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: ‘We are utterly thrilled to have Hayley and Rupert join us to play Jilly Cooper’s legendary characters Helen and Malise Gordon.
‘Alongside our other new wonderful actors and truly brilliant returning cast, Rivals series two absolutely showcases the best of British and Irish talent.
‘With further exciting guest stars to be announced, we can’t wait for everyone to see what’s next for the residents of Rutshire.’
Earlier this year, Rupert revealed he is feeling guilty about being ‘manipulative’ towards former colleagues.
The British actor rose to fame in 1981 when he was cast in Julian Mitchell’s play and subsequent film Another Country as a gay pupil at an English public school in the 1930s – earning him a BAFTA nomination.
But now the star has opened up about regrets regarding his conduct in former years.
‘At work sometimes I disliked somebody and was deliberately nasty,’ admits the star of My Best Friend’s Wedding.
‘I am and was an insecure person, so sometimes at work I cheated people, and people got on my nerves a lot and there was just no need for it.
‘I was quite manipulative in those kind of situations and I had a sharp tongue that I didn’t know the strength of.’
