SWINDON’S samba beat was showcased on Strictly Come Dancing this weekend.

To inspire contestant Sunetra Sarker, 41, her dance partner Brendan Cole, 38, visited Rodizio Do Brazil, in Victoria Road, to get a flavour of South American culture.

Viewers of Saturday evening’s BBC One show saw the actress treated to a performance by traditional Brazilian dancers, at the restaurant run by Danny and Stella Mason, as she prepared to take on the samba.

Sunetra said: “It was great having a dance with the samba girls.”

During Sunetra and Brendan’s visit they enjoyed a meal and posed for photographs with customers and staff.

Danny, 30, said: “It felt really good to see the restaurant included on Saturday’s programme. The producers of the show found us and approached us and it all went fantastic.

“It was a normal Tuesday night when they did it but we couldn’t tell anyone about it so I think our customers got a bit of a surprise.

“Sunetra and Brendan stayed late, they were really friendly to everyone and absolutely loved the place.”

The Masons have been running the restaurant for two and a half years with the eaterie, which serves authetic South American cuisine and cocktails, enjoying a refurbishment over the summer.

Danny said: “Being a Brazilian restaurant and a small business it is quite hard getting that exposure so we were delighted that the producers decided to come here.

“I think as well as it being a boost for us it is also something good for Swindon to be featured on the show.”

Sunetra did the samba to Scissor Sisters’ I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ during the programme which was broadcast from the Blackpool Ballroom.

To practice her routine she visited The Wilkes Academy run by entertainer Jonathan Wilkes to try out a few moves.

He tweeted: “So good to see Brendan and Sunetra from Strictly Come Dancing using Wilkes Academy’s studios. Top Girl, vote for her.”