Bridgerton superfan's delight as work training course gives way to ball

Bridgerton superfan's delight as work training course gives way to ball

Asha Patel and Maddy Bull from Nottingham report on an unforgettable surprise for a devoted Bridgerton fan. Sarah Taylor, who had believed she was attending a routine first aid training session in Newark, Nottinghamshire, found herself in the middle of an extraordinary event tied to the launch of the hit Netflix series’ new season. As part of the setup, Taylor casually wrote the name of the popular show during a fake icebreaker, only for the wall behind her to reveal a grand Regency-style ball.

During this enchanting moment, Taylor was given the title “Lady Sarah of County Durham” and guided to sit upon a majestic red and gold throne. It was then that she was formally invited to the season four premiere taking place in Paris. This elaborate surprise was orchestrated as a promotional campaign for the show’s latest release, which had just debuted on Netflix. A competition had seen thousands of fans nominated by friends for the chance to attend this exclusive event, with Taylor’s best friend Hannah Hardy putting her forward.

The two friends, both from Chester-le-Street, arrived in Newark where subtle hints were cleverly placed to maintain the illusion. A horse and carriage replacing typical transport, period hairstyles, and a large three-tier cake designed with a Regency theme were all part of the ruse. Taylor described her confusion as the hidden ballroom was revealed beyond the training room, confessing to the BBC, “At first I thought ‘oh my gosh I’ve broken a door’ and then I thought I’d interrupted somebody’s wedding.” The emotional event culminated with her family emerging from behind her throne, sharing the joyous moment.

Following the surprise, Taylor and Hardy traveled to Paris for the premiere, walking the red carpet and meeting members of the cast. Taylor also received a personal video call from Nicola Coughlan, known for her role as Penelope Featherington. Locally, the surprise brought excitement to Newark with several businesses, including The Crumbly Bun bakery, contributing to the event. The bakery crafted the grand cake within a tight timeframe while maintaining secrecy about its purpose. Owner Jayson Moran reflected positively on the experience, noting the attention brought to the town and the buzz generated by the filming. Newark Town Hall’s events coordinator Victoria Penarski added that the project firmly “put Newark on the map,” highlighting the significance of associating with such a major television production. Taylor and Hardy said they look forward to returning to Newark for a celebratory night out after their remarkable adventure. Meanwhile, fans anticipate the release of part two of the series, slated for 26 February

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