A visual spectacle is due to roll in to Hersham with the arrival of the My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding film crew.

The hit Channel Four show is filming a wedding on Friday, March 9, at St Peter’s Church in Burwood Road.

News of the programme coming to town has caused much excitement, with lots of residents planning to watch.

The series has been a massive hit with TV viewers, with its fake tans, jaw-dropping dresses and astonishing ceiling-scraping cakes.

The happy couple is John McFadyen and Cheyenne Pidgley, who is well known to the church.

They will marry at 2pm and follow-up with a reception at Hersham Sports and Social.

Reverend Jonathan Andrew, who is conducting the wedding, said he was looking forward to it.

He said: “I’ve seen excerpts of the programme so I know what to expect.

“We have a good relationship with the travelling community so are often called upon at various times in their lives - wedding and funerals.

“Everybody always takes things seriously when they marry in church, but maybe it is manifested in different ways.

“It’s different because the travelling community is very large and very close so events tend to be big, so we know the church will be full with a lot of people.”

Dresses in the series have weighed as much as 20st, but Miss Pidgley may struggle in church if her dress is too large.

Rev Andrew said: “The pews cannot be moved, because they are screwed to the floor, but we’ve got quite a wide aisle and it has never been a problem before.”

Despite the dramatic outfits and show-stopping touches, Revd Andrew said the most important thing is the marriage, and what it means.

He said: “The important thing is it is John and Cheyenne’s day to make their vows before God and the family and this is not just about filming a TV programme.

“We are allowing some unobtrusive and stationary cameras, but we are not putting on a performance, this is a wedding.

“They have insisted it’s their day and although it will be bigger than some weddings, it will be exactly the same in other ways.

“They are a lovely couple, very pleasant and I wish them many happy years together.”

A source at the reception venue, which is expecting about 200 guests, said rumours had been flying around that the cake was going to be 6ft, with a staircase and three waterfalls.

They said: “I think because of the TV show it has all gone a bit OTT. It will be an eye opener “I’m a bit cautious, but I’m sure it will all be fine.”

A spokesman for Surrey Police said: “Elmbridge neighbourhood team officers, led by Sergeant Mark Bracknell, will be carrying out high visibility patrols in Hersham on the day of the wedding and will be monitoring the event throughout the day.

“At this stage there are no planned road closures in the area and neighbourhood officers are doing everything possible to keep disruption to a minimum.”