A FAMOUS face from the world of music hit the right notes during a visit to Tiptree.

JB Gill, from boyband JLS, went to the village’s strawberry fields and factory while filming for a new TV show.

He was recording a piece for Summer on the Farm, which aired on Channel 5 on Wednesday night.

JB, as he is known, caused a real stir when he was spotted in the jam factory and tearoom.

He has a special interest in farming and has his own farm in Kent, rearing turkeys and pigs while continuing his music career.

Wilkin & Sons joint-managing director Chris Newenham said: “We very much enjoyed our time filming on the farm with JB.

“He was highly engaging and the staff were thrilled to meet him.

“Sadly, he didn’t sing for us on this occasion but he was keen to see strawberries being made into jam.

“Operations supervisor Tracy Warren took him on a short tour of the factory before he had a cream tea in the tearoom’s secret garden.”

JB shot to fame when JLS came second on The X Factor in 2008, finishing as runners-up behind Alexandra Burke.

Managed by Louis Walsh, they went on to have five number-one singles and sold more than ten million records worldwide before disbanding in December 2013.

Braintree and Witham Times:

  • JB Gill and Chris Newenham at Wilkin and Sons

Having been involved in the turkey farming industry for several years, JB became one of the main presenters on CBeebies programme Down on the Farm in August 2015.

He has also appeared on BBC show Countryfile.

JB’s trip to Tiptree was filmed on one of the hottest days of the year and he started his visit by looking at strawberry growing, hearing about the delayed harvest of the Little Scarlet crop.

April’s late frosts have put them at least three weeks behind schedule.

However, there should be a good harvest once they start picking early next month.

JB also received an update on the latest technology used at the farm, from Mr Newenham.

Summer on the Farm was part of a week of programmes about farm life in the UK.