Fry, famed for his work alongside Hugh Laurie as well as hosting the hit quiz show , popped in to Davids Restaurant on Warwick Road with his husband, Elliot Spencer.
He departed after his meal leaving a note for the owners, declaring the restaurant a “wonderful place”.
Emily Austin, the restaurant’s co-owner, told “He said that he had been down in Ullswater and was heading up to Scotland.
“It appeared that they’d been looking for somewhere to stop and chose Carlisle. They must’ve liked the look of the restaurant.”
Emily said that the booking had been made in Mr Spencer’s name, rather than the TV personality’s. She said had they arrived the day before, they might have struggled to get a seat.
“We were busy on the Thursday , but there were a few tables spare on the Friday when they arrived,” she added.
“We had a few people in the front dining room but they were able to have the back dining room to themselves.”
Emily said she did not want to intrude, but did tell Fry that her husband, Chris, is a fan.
“As they left, I did tell him that my husband, who wasn’t in at the time, would’ve liked to meet him,” she said. “I asked if he wouldn’t mind leaving a note and signing a menu for us, which he did.”
Jo Crocker, Fry’s personal assistant, said that his visit was a “strictly private and brief visit”.
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