Christmas film is big screen debut for SuBo

The 51-year-old will join Samantha Barks, Hans Matheson and Lesley Manville in the production, which has just begun shooting this week in the UK.

The film, based on the novella by Max Lucado, tells the tale of an enchanted Christmas candle in Gladbury, a dull village that must confront the dawning of the 20th century and a new, sceptical minister.

She plays a church warden’s wife and reports say she will sing a hymn in the film. “Everyone on set is a delight to work with and it’s a fantastic experience to be part of the team,” she said.

The West Lothian star said “I’m really enjoying getting dressed in the period costume although it’s very cold filming on location – I’m wearing long johns under my bustle.”