Time Team behind the scenes secrets revealed in Oswestry

Mr Williams gave a talk as the guest of Oswestry & Borders History & Archaeology Group, and spoke about his 10 years in front of the camera where he specialised in fieldwork and excavation management.

Since leaving the Channel 4 show he has started working in Welshpool for L-P Archaeology.

Group chairman Heather Hidden said: "The talk was excellent and we had about 70 people there. He gave us some very good insights about what goes on behind the scenes at Time Team. He explained how digging in the trenches and being filmed at the same time was always difficult and the length of time it took to edit the final show.

"Filming would only last three days, so it was always very hectic, but the editing process would take three months."

Mrs Hidden said being the show's "heart throb", Mr Williams would often have to dress up as anything from a Saxon village peasant to a Roman Centurion while the cameras were rolling.

"It meant he was constantly jumping in and out of the trenches to get changed, which could be very tiring," she said.

"When filming was finished the beer they drank in the pubs was real, but sometimes they would be sat there for ages waiting for the proper take.

"Matt explained how Tony Robinson, who was the star of the show, rarely went into the pubs because when he did he would be mobbed by the public."

During the talk at Oswestry Memorial Hall, Mr Williams revealed plans to carry out more digs in Shropshire in the future.

Justin Soper will be guest speaker at the group's February 13 meeting. The re-enactor will discuss the Oswestry siege of 1644.