A top comedian and actor has been spotted surprising workers at a distillery he co-owns, as he was pictured visiting the venue.

Ricky Gervais was pictured with the Ellers Farm Distillery team on Wednesday (October 23), as he met the team behind the North Yorkshire-based distillery.

Based in Stamford Bridge, Ellers Farm Distillery is the birthplace of Ricky’s award-winning vodka brand, Dutch Barn Vodka — a liquid uniquely distilled from 100 per cent British apples.

Gervais became co-owner of Ellers Farm Distillery in November 2023 and has been delighting fans with a series of funny social media spots promoting Dutch Barn Vodka in ways that subvert the category norms and rules - staying true to the brand’s ethos of ‘Positively Different’. 

According to the distillery, Gervais shares its ethos when it comes to sustainability. 

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A spokesperson for Ellers Farm Distillery said: "The distillery is committed to sustainable practices each step of the way and has implemented a number of actions aimed at reducing its impact on the environment, aligning with Gervais’ own eco-conscious values.

"In a bid to positively impact nature surrounding the distillery, the team has planted 2.5 acres of apple trees in the adjacent fields.

"Furthermore, the flawless liquid of Dutch Barn Vodka itself is bottled in brown glass bottles which use a higher percentage of recycled glass and are made in Yorkshire, cutting down transport emissions."