Soap stars Ricky Groves and Mathew Bose enjoyed a spot of shopping in Wolverhampton’s famous department store, Beatties.

The pair, who are starring in Season’s Greetings at the city’s Grand Theatre, took a tour of the store and chatted to staff.

And plenty of customers instantly recognised the pair as Ricky used to play Garry Hobbs in EastEnders and Mathew was barman Paul Lambert in Emmerdale.

They also popped into the Heritage Room at Beatties, signing the visitors book, and enjoyed a coffee in the in-store café. Mathew, aged 38, admitted: “While I’m here in Wolverhampton I’m planning on visiting the art gallery as I’ve heard it’s good and also the art gallery in Walsall.” Ricky, aged 43, added: “It’s my first time in the city.

“The people in the Midlands are very nice and Beatties is a lovely store.”

Sue Brown, who works in the menswear department, got the chance to meet both actors. She said: “It has been a memorable day.”

Meanwhile Leah Morris, 20, on maternity leave from her job at Stourbridge College, spotted the pair and took her newborn baby daughter Martha, aged just three months, to meet the soap stars.