A YORK woman has taken on a starring role in the hit American reality TV show My Big Red Neck Vacation.

Wendy Metcalfe, 51, of Dringhouses, took on the role of housekeeper and maid in the show, which saw a family of 14 from Louisiana travel to Broughton Hall in Skipton.

The “Clampet” family – who are said in the programme to be keen mud fighters – were put up in the property with servants while cameras followed them living the “Downton Abbey experience”.

Ms Metcalfe spent nine weeks filming 13 episodes for the second series of the show, which is narrated by Tom Arnold and is being shown on American cable channel CMT.

She said: “It was a funny experience every single day because you didn’t know what was going to happen.

“They thought it was very strange when they first got here to move into a big place like Broughton Hall.

“It was a big culture shock – there was no TV, they were in a strange culture in the middle of nowhere, eating strange food and they weren’t used to being looked after by staff.”

Ms Metcalfe was offered the role by an American television company after they spotted an advert she had posted online while looking to manage a bed and breakfast.

Among her many chores, she made beds, looked after children and did the family’s laundry.

She said one memorable murder mystery- themed episode sees the family being told that a body – which is implied to be hers – has been found in the grounds of the property and police arrive before the family is told it is a hoax.

Ms Metcalfe, who said she understands a British television channel may also show the hit US TV programme, said she enjoyed taking part in the series. She said: “I absolutely loved it.

“I met some wonderful people – the family and the behind-the-scenes crew.

“I’m a nothing here but in America I could be quite famous.”