It's not every day you meet a film star in an Ipswich ASDA, but shoppers will not have to look far to meet one of the cast of a new gangster movie. 

Debbie Jones, 46, who works at the Whitehouse Industrial Estate store worked on the Bermondsey Tales: The Fall of the Roman Empire and landed her role after asking her friend if she could come on set as an extra.

When she joined her friend for the film last June, she didn't realise she would impress director Michael Head to move from the background into a speaking part opposite EastEnders star Maisie Smith.

Maisie Smith (right) stars in the film with ASDA worker Debbie JonesMaisie Smith (right) stars in the film with ASDA worker Debbie Jones (Image: James Manning/PA Wire)

 The comedy-drama, which is based on the real-life events of a South London crime gang stars Maisie Smith, John Hannah, Alan Ford, and former Love Island contestant Jake Cornish. 

Jake Cornish who was a contestant on Love Island in 2021 is among the cast for the film.Jake Cornish who was a contestant on Love Island in 2021 is among the cast for the film. (Image: ITV)

"It was an absolutely amazing experience," the 46-year-old said.

"I got to meet so many lovely actors who have all helped me develop some acting skills in the days that I was there."

Away from the screen, the mum-of-two has worked at ASDA for 16 years as a key part of their community projects, where she would go to the local food banks to deliver food. 

She said she had a great time learning from actors such as Alan Jones.She said she had a great time learning from actors such as Alan Jones. (Image: ASDA)

Mrs Jones added that watching herself on screen, with her friends and family around her, was an experience of a lifetime. 

She said: "I knew there was something in it for me for a long time, but you know I am 46 and have two children so I never got the chance. 

"But it's so great now that everybody gets to see what I am doing here."

At ASDA Mrs Jones works on community projects.At ASDA Mrs Jones works on community projects. (Image: Charlotte Bond) Mrs Jones hopes to do movie film work in future and has received calls since from the director to come and audition for other roles. 

She also thanked ASDA for the support that they have given her, and the time off that they provided for her to pursue her dream. 

Asda Ipswich store manager Paul Self said: "She does a fantastic job supporting our store colleagues and the local community. We are all very proud of her."