It’s not uncommon to spot a famous face somewhere in the Harrogate district – and this year has been no exception.

There have been fewer celebrity encounters than last year, though, when the likes of Kate Winslet, Danny Glover, Calvin Harris and many more descended on the area.

But ex-James Bond star Pierce Brosnan was spotted in two local towns this year - that must rack up double points. 

Today, we’re looking back at some star-studded visits to the district and what they were doing here. 

Pierce Brosnan makes double (07) appearance

Four-time James Bond star Pierce Brosnan was first spotted locally in April.

The Stray Ferret was sent a photo of Mr Brosnan enjoying a pint – not a martini – at the Fat Badger in Harrogate.

The 71-year-old was reportedly filming Giant, which follows the true story of Sheffield boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, in Leeds and was rumoured to be staying locally.

Mr Brosnan was then seen in Knaresborough around a month later.

Staff and customers at Yorkshire Eyewear, on the High Street, had a surprise when the film star “asked to borrow a screwdriver” to fix his glasses.

Meg Lazenby, who runs the store’s social media, told the Stray Ferret at the time:

Ms Lazenby said Mr Brosnan was “lovely and very polite”.

Shortly after, the Mamma Mia! franchise and Mrs Doubtfire star was pictured for a third and time – this time at ice cream shop Castle Creamery.

Owners Tim and Jane told us Mr Brosnan was “really charming” and enjoyed his ice cream outside the shop with other customers.

Heaven knows what Morrissey was doing in Shaw Mills…

Morrissey, the former frontman of The Smiths, is becoming a regular visitor to the Harrogate district.

He was spotted supping a pint at the Harrogate Arms in Harrogate last year; this time he popped up in a somewhat different and suitably mysterious setting.

The 65-year-old posed with his arms folded in front of a street sign and dry-stone wall on Cut Throat Lane in Shaw Mills.

The photo was taken by London photographer Andrew Quinn. The Stray Ferret asked Mr Quinn for permission to use the photo – which was shared on his public Instagram page – in our article at the time, but he politely declined.

He told us:

Mr Quinn then made his Instagram account private, but not before the picture was shared to a Morrissey fan page.

Morrissey is known for his elusive persona, which made his unexplained visit to the tiny hamlet – six miles from Harrogate – even more apt. 

The ‘culinary Pele’ praises Harrogate pub

Pierre Koffmann, who was dubbed ‘a kind of culinary Pele’ by the Guardian, dined in Harrogate in October.

The 77-year-old Frenchman, who is one of only a handful of chefs to be awarded three Michelin stars, visited Three’s A Crowd on West Park.

The pub shared a photo with the culinary king on social media, as well as a note left by Mr Koffman alongside a drawing of a stereotypically French-looking chef, which said:

A spokesperson for the pub told the Stray Ferret Mr Koffman and his wife Claire ordered cheese puffs; a mushroom and smoked garlic vol au vent; a chicory, pear and walnut salad with blue cheese, and pork and fennel sausages to start.

For mains, they chose the Hereford Chateaubriand with Diane sauce, and the Yorkshire pork chop with a quince glaze.

The spokesperson said the couple were “kind and understanding”, and took the time to speak to the chef Matthew Casey.

Mr Koffmann appeared to be in town to assist with heat one of the Deli Fresh Young Chef of the Year Competition, which was held at Bettys. 

Dame Judi Dench weighs in on Ripon Cathedral saga

Whilst Dame Judi Dench may not have visited Ripon, she did comment on the cathedral’s controversial annexe saga.

The award-winning actress, who is an ambassador and patron for the Woodland Trust, called for the trees that may have been felled to make way for Ripon Cathedral’s £8m scheme to be saved.

She said in September:

The plans were since revised and rejected by Ripon City Council earlier this month.