As people lined the streets to queue up for Strictly Come Dancing previews, Elstree Studios was visited by another special guest yesterday.

Ed Vaizey, Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy, visited the ‘British Hollywood’ yesterday afternoon to meet television and film executives.

He was welcomed by Roger Morris, Elstree Studios’ managing director, and councillor Morris Bright, Chairman of the Studios Board and Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council.

Mr Vaizey was given a tour of the Studios where a number of major productions are currently in progress, including ‘Episodes’ with Matt Le Blanc, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, new BBC Saturday night show ‘Tumble’ and  ‘Celebrity Big Brother’. 

He was also shown an area of land at the back of the site which has recently been cleared at a cost of £3.5m to the council so the Studios’ can expand in response to the industry’s demand for production facilities in the area.

The Culture Minister said: “The UK’s Creative Industries are world class and have demonstrated, time and time again, what a pivotal role they play in driving forward the UK economy. 

"Elstree Studios is a very important component of this dynamic sector and it’s been brilliant to see and learn about the huge variety of programmes being produced right here in Hertfordshire.”

In honour of this year’s centenary of film-making, Roger Morris presented Mr Vaizey with the book ‘Elstree Confidential’ by local film historian Paul Welsh.

Cllr Bright said: “It’s great to see a government minister take such an interest in the creative industries and we were proud to show Ed around our world-famous studios and welcome him to an area of such rich film and television heritage. 

“The government is making it easier, and cheaper, for production companies to film in the UK and we are taking full advantage of this at Elstree Studios for the benefit of residents as well as our local and national economies.”