Popular French maître d'hôtel and television personality Fred Sirieix was pulling pints at a popular Newton Abbot watering hole this afternoon (Saturday, October 24).

He was at Ye Olde Cider Bar filming part of a new primetime Channel 4 show where he and a team of leading hospitality experts as help independent businesses across the UK navigate the challenges facing the industry.

The much-loved local institution is one of Britain's last remaining traditional cider houses.

A quick tipple for Fred Sirieix before he starts pulling pints at Ye Olde Cider Bar. Photo: Steve Pope
A quick tipple for Fred Sirieix before he starts pulling pints at Ye Olde Cider Bar. Photo: Steve Pope ( Steve Pope)

It was taken over by local businessman Julian Marsh shortly before the pandemic, and the cameras from Waddell Media have been following his journey as Fred and his team work worked alongside him to breathe new life into this historic establishment.

Pot spotting - Fred Sirieix searches for the correct jar for one of the Olde Cider Bar's regulars.. Photo Steve Pope
Pot spotting - Fred Sirieix searches for the correct jar for one of Ye Olde Cider Bar's regulars. Photo Steve Pope ( Steve Pope)

As well as pouring the pints and chatting to regulars, Fred helped officially open the new bar along with Julian and Newton Abbot mayor councillor Louise Cooke.