Shooting a new sitcom in Cumbria has left comedian and actor Johnny Vegas fired up and wanting to rekindle his love for ceramics.

Johnny – real name Michael Pennington – has been inspired by his travels around the Lake District during breaks from filming his new prime-time BBC1 sitcom Home From Home.

The show is being turned into a six-part series to be screened this autumn after a successful pilot was broadcast on BBC2 last year.

It is being filmed on location in and around part of the Hillcroft Park campsite at Pooley Bridge and surrounding area.

Ceramics graduate Johnny rediscovered his love for making pottery and other pieces while visiting an art trail through Eden earlier this month, he told the News & Star.

Johnny, who has been staying on the park during the six-week filming, said: “Highlights for me away from the set have included hiring a boat and sailing on the lake and we’ve been to Brougham Castle and took part in a recent art trail.”

He also revealed that filming so near to his home in St Helen’s, Merseyside, for such a long period has meant his family – including mum Patricia, wife Maïa, and sons Michael and Tom – have been able to come and stay in Cumbria with him.

“They had a pottery-decorating day on at one place and we took a drive out to see a few of the exhibitions going on, visited a few of the artists,” said Johnny.

“I’ve also bought quite a few bits of art work and have gone up, spent the day with them and had a cup of tea.

“It has really fired up my creativity and inspired me. I’ve got a degree in ceramics and it’s left me wanting to buy a kiln now.”

He added: “Often you have to stay away from home a lot with this job but it has been nice for them to come up and stay in the lodge with me.

“I had a campervan years ago and used to spend lots of time in the Lake District; I wrote a lot of my book here, but the lodges we’re in are real luxury compared to the van then.”

The cast and crew – up to 70 – have been getting a taste for the Cumbrian countryside during their six-week shoot, regularly visiting local pubs and restaurants including The Crown and The Sun Inn in Pooley Bridge.

Those involved in the shoot have a great fondness for Hillcroft Park, which is transformed into the fictional Lake View holiday park for the show.

Its Derwentwater cul-de-sac of lodges has been closed off during filming, including during the News & Star’s visit this week.

Heavy rain saw the cast and crew in waterproofs for 10 hours, much of it under a soaked marquee.

The marquee was where Johnny’s character Neil Hackett, in his blue and white Hawaiian shirt, was hosting a cocktail party that features in episode three.

Producer Rebecca Papworth said: “Neil decides he is not popular enough so decides to host the party. As usual it doesn’t go according to plan.”

The all-star cast also includes singer Elaine Paige, who plays Neil’s mother; star of Only Fools and Horses and The Full Monty, Paul Barber; Pearce Quigley, who starred in the BBC’s recent drama Three Girls and as the cyclist in Peter Kay’s Car Share; and comedian Susan Calman.

The outside of one lodge has been transformed into “Falling Water”, the home of upper middle class couple Robert and Penny Dillon. They are played by Doctor Foster and Endeavour actor Adam James and Emilia Fox, who is also filming for her leading role in Silent Witness at the same time as the new sitcom.

Another lodge doubled up as a green room for actors and crew members on Tuesday while the show’s writers and soundman were found sitting inside number 13. The distinctive wooden lodge that is number 13 belongs to Neil and Fiona Hackett, played by Johnny Vegas and Catherine Tate star Niky Wardley.

The couple, in last year’s pilot, finally achieved their long-cherished dream of buying a lodge in the Lake District.

Other locations in the series include nearby Hallin Fell, the scene of a mountain rescue.

“Highlights have been the landscapes round here,” said Rebecca, the producer.

“Our first weekend was spent out on Hallin Fell shooting a mountain rescue. Although it was a hair- raising and busy day, the beauty and the awe-inspiring views had an impact on everyone.”

Filming is due to end today.Producer Rebecca has also paid tribute to Hillcroft’s owners John and Jill Heath.

“We couldn’t have do it without them,” she said. “They are really proactive and positive and they have made this happen, them and their brilliant team. We are immensely grateful.”

Home From Home is a joint production between BBC Studios and CanCan Productions.