A small Scottish village won the heart of Gavin and Stacey star Mathew Horne. Worlds away from the Essex home of his character in the beloved television series, the 47-year-old actor is thought to have previously left city living behind and moved to Helmsdale on Sutherland’s east coast.

Originally from Nottingham, the comedy star, who has also appeared in the Catherine Tate Show and Dad’s Army, reportedly split his time between work in London and a quieter, more peaceful existence in the scenic yet remote village. Speaking about his love for the Highlands, Horne previously shared on That Gaby Roslin podcast that he “would very much like to live there. I am all things Scotophile.”

In another interview, the actor told the Sunday Post, describing Scotland as: “The best country in the world. My shoulders drop and I feel free. It is where my heart lies and hopefully one day I will have a place of my own there so I can retreat as and when I need to.”

He continued: “I love the peace and tranquillity and the people. The food is wonderful, the weather is nowhere near as bad as everybody says and midges don’t like me, so that’s good.

“Most of my downtime when I’m not working is now spent in Scotland.”

Helmsdale, a charming village along the North Coast 500 (NC500) route, provides a spectacular 516-mile journey showing off the magnificent scenery of the Scottish Highlands.

Speaking to the Sunday Post, Mathew shared: “I have a very special relationship with Helmsdale. It’s partly because of discovering it when I was in the Highlands because of my ancestry through my great-great-grandparents who were from Huntly.”

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He added: “That makes me one-eighth Scottish, although I wish I was more.”

The village’s origins, which date back to 1814, are linked with the 19th-century herring boom that boosted numerous coastal Scottish settlements.

The once-thriving harbour continues to be used by local fishermen and is a popular location for a picturesque stroll. Close by, there’s a small shingle beach providing stunning views across the Moray Firth.

The village is also home to the Emigrants statue. A moving testament to the town’s more troubling history, the monument honours those who were compelled to abandon their homes and venture across great distances to begin afresh.

Visitors can also stop by The Timespan Heritage Centre, a community facility that contains not only a local history museum but also a modern art programme, herb gardens, shop, bakery and cafe.

Helmsdale might also be the perfect destination for those fond of a drink or two. The delightful village sits close to the Old Pulteney, Clynelish, Glenmorangie and Dornoch Distilleries.

Mathew has also previously declared Glasgow as his ‘favourite city’ and holds a particular affection for Edinburgh, the city where he first took to the comedy stage at the Fringe Festival in 2000.