Historic boat makes silver-screen debut in Wonka

The vessel was taken to Lyme Regis for filming

A historic fishing boat has made its silver-screen debut, featuring in the new blockbuster film Wonka.

Lydia Eva was taken to Lyme Regis, Dorset, for the filming of scenes in which a young Willy Wonka, played by Timothée Chalamat, arrives in England.

Ernie Artis, its manager, said: "We've known about this for two years... and we've had to keep it a secret until now."

The steam drifter, built in King's Lynn in the 1930s, will be back at its usual berth in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, this weekend and open to the public.

Ernie Artis said seeing the boat in the new Wonka film was "interesting"

The vessel was used for scenes in which Willy Wonka, played by Timothée Chalamat, arrives in England

Mr Artis was contacted by the filmmakers during the Covid-19 pandemic, while the boat was not in use, but at first believed it was a "hoax".

Lydia Eva was needed by the film company for nearly two months.

When Ernie Artis was contacted by the film company he thought it was a "hoax"

Mr Artis said it was "interesting" to see the vessel on screen and that it had featured in the first 10 seconds of the film's trailer.

"The engine room was used for a small scene and he [Wonka] was seen sliding down the engine room ladder… towards the end of the film they actually blow the boat up, but that is a mock version," he said.

Mr Artis said the trust that ran the vessel has since had interest from television companies.

He hopes this will bring more publicity to the boat and to Great Yarmouth.