A MALDON butchers ate their hearts out when they starred on a primetime TV programme.

Meatline, which has stores in Maldon, Chelmsford and Bicknacre, was the main feature in last Thursday’s episode of Eat your heart out with Nick Helm.

Meatline’s managing director, Steve Sims and his brother Wesley, both had big roles to play in front of the camera.

The tongue-in-cheek culinary road trip series, which is shown on Dave, sees star of Channel 4’s Loaded and comedian Nick Helm travel across Europe to hunt down comfort food following the break-up of his long term relationship.

Television production company North One television arranged for an episode to take place at one of Meatline’s stores having learned of its popularity in the district.

The team are revered for their amazing sausages.

During the half-hour long episode, Mr Helm worked onscreen with Steve and Wesley, as the trio worked on a new flavour of sausage.

Their creation The Man from Uncle is a pork and chorizo spiced creation.

Speaking after filming the episode, Steve said: “It was a real laugh. Being a film star’s no problem for me as I love the limelight and have the perfect face for telly.

“But seriously… it was a great day and working alongside such a great comedian as Nick Helm was a blast.

“Hopefully the passion we have for meat shone through and Nick’s love of our sausages is yet more proof that we do things the right way.”

Viewers who missed episode 10 of the first series can catch it again on UKTV’s website.