A BBC TV star has shocked the owners of a County Durham shop after dropping in for a visit early this week. 

Wildlife presenter and Strictly Come Dancing winner Hamza Yassin paid a surprise visit to Niche shop in Barnard Castle on Wednesday (November 29) while visiting the town. 

Posing for photos with the shop owners, the TV personality was smiling away, as the shop posted on its social media page: "S T A R S T R U C K - Honoured today with a visit from our favourite Strictly Star Hamza!"

Hamza endeared himself to the nation last year after lifting Strictly Come Dancing's glitterball trophy with professional dance partner Jowita Przystał - making him an instantly recognisable name. 

Away from the dancefloor though, Hamza is a wildlife photographer, who has been on numerous nature programmes - visiting parts of the UK and the world to find the weird and wonderful of the animal kingdom. 

The Northern Echo: Hamza Yassin with shop owners at Niche in Barnard CastleHamza Yassin with shop owners at Niche in Barnard Castle (Image: NICHE)

He further endeared himself to the nation after appearing on a special Countryfile episode with Dame Judi Dench - helping the legendary actress to see a golden eagle in the wild. 

The Northern Echo: Hamza Yassin and Dame Judi Dench eagle spotting in Scotland during a Countryfile specialHamza Yassin and Dame Judi Dench eagle spotting in Scotland during a Countryfile special (Image: PA MEDIA)

Philomena star Dame Judi and the Strictly Come Dancing winner were travelling around in a car to a “secret location” when they had glimpses of the bird – before becoming successful.

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The 88-year-old actress used a monitor to help her see two golden eagles flying near a kestrel in the sky and said: “Oh, yes, I do (see it)… The kestrel’s not having too good a time. He’s being seen off.”

Asked by Yassin for her thoughts, Dame Judi looked tearful while laughing and said: “I could see one and you are a witness to seeing that I saw it… (I’m) very overcome… It’s an enormous privilege, don’t you (think)?”

Hamza, 33, said: “It is, isn’t it?”