Travel show role for Hollywood star

Hollywood actress Cameron Diaz has landed a surprise starring role – in the BBC’s Holiday programme.

Irish presenter Craig Doyle and his team were filming in Belize when they spotted Diaz sitting at the next table in a restaurant.

Doyle cheekily asked her if she would appear on the BBC1 show – and, to his amazement, Diaz said yes.

Viewers will see the Gangs Of New York star join Doyle on a canoe trip through the Central American jungle in the programme, to be broadcast on Easter Day.

Holiday director Ed Venner said the Hollywood beauty came over to say hello to the film crew in a restaurant.

He told the Radio Times: “She had no entourage and was extremely friendly, no airs and graces, and laughed that trademark laugh which had us all enraptured.

“She introduced herself to us, saying ‘Hi, I’m Cameron Diaz’ – as if we didn’t already know!”

Diaz, 30, was in Belize to lend her support to a local campaign to stop developers from building a dam which would flood the rainforest in the Macal river valley.

She agreed to go on the Holiday programme as long as she could publicise the campaign.

Venner said: “We were staggered. She even agreed to get up at six the next morning to do it. It’s a cause she feels very strongly about.”