Joining the Flat Pack, Eddie? Hollywood star Redmayne pops into Ikea Wednesbury

But for one family, a trip to pick up a few bits for the house turned into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Eddie Redmayne, best known as the star of Theory of Everything, has been doing the rounds of TV shows to plug his new film Danish Girl.

But that hasn't stopped him getting out and about, including a trip to Ikea alongside the M6 at Wednesbury.

His appearance, where he was with friends and had a trolley-full of furniture, caused a stir on chatrooms and Eddie fan sites. The 33-year-old happily posed for selfies as he made his way around the aisles and a number of photographs have appeared online.

For the Hodgkiss family it was a dream come true. They have been a big fan of his since his appearance in Les Miserables and plucked up the courage to approach him for a chat.

Oliver Hodgkiss, 12, followed him around for a while before speaking to him.

The Telford youngster, a pupil at Abraham Darby Academy, said the star was wearing a dark green jacket, scarf and flat cap and almost unnoticed as he shopped on Wednesday afternoon.

"He said it was a big pleasure to meet me," Oliver said. "He was really nice and I was so happy to meet him.

"I told him I was a big fan and he said thank you. It was great."

Oliver's mother, Judy said it was bit of shock to see the star at Ikea, while she was shopping with her husband Simon, two children Oliver and Sophie, 14 as well as her mother and mother-in-law.

However, the family were unsure if was Redmayne and thought it was most likely a look-a-alike.

The 44-year-old of Strichley said: "We couldn't believe it. We saw him walking round with a trolly of shopping.

"Oliver came over and told me the man from Les Miserables was in front of off us.

"At first we were a bit unsure if it was him or not, but we did say that if it wasn't he had a doppelgänger.

"It sounds like were following him around the store but he was in front of us most of the time.

"We told Oliver to go and ask, and when he did he was lovely.

"He asked if he was the man from Les Mis and he said he was and started asking Oliver questions.

"He asked him his name and Oliver told him he was a big fan.

"We didn't want to ask for a photo as not people had noticed him, so we didn't want to draw attention to him.

"However, when we got to the tills a few people were having photos, so we went and asked and Oliver and Sophie had a picture with him.

"He then loaded all his buys into a van and off he went.

"But he was such a lovely guy and we couldn't believe a trip to Ikea took such an amazing turn.

"It was quite strange though. We were in a bit of shock when we went to Boundary Mills afterwards.

"And when we got home Oliver had to watch Les Mis on the DVD – it made his day meeting him."

One member of the family, Oliver and Sophie's eldest sister Jessica missed out on the trip as she was at home writing an essay.

The 18-year-old, who is head girl at Abraham Darby Academy is hoping to study musical theatre at University next September.

Mrs Hodgkiss added: "She was gutted she missed out on meeting Eddie Redmayne.

"She is a huge fan of Les Mis and she wants to study musical theatre at university.

"But on Wednesday she decided to stay at home rather than come to Ikea because she had an essay to write for for her A Levels.

"When we told her she couldn't believe it."

It isn't the first time the star has been spotted out shopping by Shropshire Star readers.

He was spotted in Ludlow back in July, when he was browsing at The Silver Pear gift shop and was again happy to stop and speak to fans.

The star's appearance at Ikea was the talk of Twitter and other social media sites.

Another fan who met Redmayne was Tumblr user @jonesemily98

She posted a photo of herself and the star at Ikea saying, "Best Day Ever. Such a lovely man and it was lovely to meet you #eddieredmayne".

Redmayne announced last month that he is expecting his first child wife Hannah Bagshawe.

His latest film role is as transgender pioneer Lili Elbe in The Danish Girl.

As well as The Danish Girl, 2016 will see Redmayne star in the Harry Potter spin off film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.