Brigitte Neilson, ex-wife of Sly Stallone, dropped into a North Yorkshire pub and found herself leaving with a new Rambo.

Regulars at the Golden Lion pub in Osmotherley were surprised to say the least, when the 6ft-tall Danish-born film star arrived in a black Galliano dress for an evening in the bar after landing in town by helicopter earlier in the day.

She was with her friend Caroline St George, whose children attend Ampleforth School, and who is a friend of one of the pub's owners Peter McCoy.

Barman Phil Martin said the film star drank Spanish Rioja wine at £14.50 a bottle during the evening.

"She was very chatty and outgoing. We knew she was coming, but people in the pub were amazed - she did attract quite a crowd," he said.

Regulars at the Golden Lion pub in Osmotherley were Brigitte soon made the acquaintance of local man Neville Thompson, whose nickname is Rambo. The star even gave "Rambo" a lift home at the end of the evening in her chauffeur-driven Mercedes.

Neville, 42, who lives in nearby East Harlsey, said: "Some of my mates call me Rambo. Everybody was in on the joke, including Brigitte."

American visitor Dale Robertson said: "She was having lots of fun, she was behind the bar at one stage."

Staff at the Golden Lion said they thought the star was in North Yorkshire visiting friends.

She was also checking out the sights of the county for possible locations for a film.

The former Mrs Rambo stayed at the Cleveland Tontine Hotel, near Osmotherley, for her two-day visit.

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