A stately home has credited a Netflix dating show where contestants wear prosthetic heads for helping it to survive the pandemic.

       Knebworth House in Hertfordshire served as the set for “Sexy Beasts” during the second lockdown when tourists were unable to visit.

       The show sees singletons go on “blind” dates wearing elaborate prosthetic heads to transform themselves into animals or fantastical creatures such as an owl, a tinman and an alien.

       A spokesperson for the house said: “We have had a few visitors referring to us as ‘Sexy Beasts Manor’ which has been amusing. We have found an increase in visitor numbers and income as a result of screen tourism.

       “Not only did it bring much-needed revenue in and allow us to retain and provide employment for local residents, it also meant other local businesses could benefit from having the production in the area as we worked with the team to keep as much local as possible.”

       The national lockdowns saw the stately home miss out on a significant amount of business. As well as visitors to the house and adventure playground, Knebworth ordinarily hosts events including a Classic Motor Show and concerts which have seen the likes of Led Zeppelin and Status Quo perform. The filming for the streaming service took place between September and November.

       As well as Knebworth House, other local locations including Broxbourne’s Paradise Wildlife Park and Knebworth’s Lytton Arms Pub were used.

       Deirdre Wells OBE, the chief executive of Visit Herts, said: “The filming of Sexy Beast took place during lockdown and the revenue tourism businesses were able to generate through location filming or housing cast and crew was critical to survival at this time.”

       The stately home has previously been used as a location for other television shows and films, including The Crown, for which it stood in for the interiors of Balmoral Castle. It has now also developed an “On Location at Knebworth House” exhibition to attract visitors.

       Earlier this month it was announced that Hollywood was planning an outpost in Hertfordshire, with California-based Sunset Studios choosing to open its first facility outside of the US in Broxbourne. The studio is best known for hits including La La Land, When Harry Met Sally and the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

       Elstree Studios in Borehamwood opened in 1914, and the films produced there include Star Wars and The Dam Busters.