ITV’s This Morning visits Bolton
Bolton is the new Hollywood according to ITV’s This Morning show which took a trip to the town to find out why it was fast becoming the filming capital – of the country.
Bolton Council gave presenter Josie Gibson a tour of our wonderful town, which doubles up as a film set for many shows.
And they ended up filming the production crew filming a new drama starring Adrian Dunbar.
Peaky Blinders, Ridley, Coronation Street are just some scores of show filmed in Bolton, usually at the now internationally famous Le Mans Crescent.
A spokesman for Bolton Council said: “The ITV morning show aired a segment showing all the famous filming locations in Bolton Town Centre.
“Our town has been used in popular TV shows from Peaky Blinders to It’s a Sin, and all the amazing TV in between.
“We gave This Morning presenter Josie Gibson a tour of our famous filming spaces in Bolton to show why some people are calling us the ‘Hollywood of the North’.”
Ashif Ashik, local actor and stuntman from Bolton was Interviewed by Josie Gibson for the segment ‘Bolton the new Hollywood.’
Josie asked Ashik if he would be going to Hollywood.
Ashik said: “I would love to meet and work with the stars but I’m Bolton born and bred so I’ll stay where the action is.”
Actor Ashik has been filming for shows like No Return, The Rising, Red Rose and Traces to name a few.
(Ashif Ashik, local actor and stuntman from Bolton)
People in Bolton often catch film crews in Le Mans Crescent, often used for its stunning Victorian-esque backdrop.
While Bolton School has been the popular setting for teen crime drama Get Even.
Hosts Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond referred to the town as a ‘trip to Tinseltown’ as the VT took the audience into the heart of Bolton, showing them what the town has to offer.
Bolton Town Hall was showcased after Sylvester Stallone ran up the steps for Warburtons.
Sylvester recreated his famous Rocky scene on the steps of the town hall in a black military beret, shocking bystanders who had no idea he was going to film there.
Viewers were introduced to Crompton Place, where Cobra and No Return were filmed and while the cameras were rolling, ITV’s Ridley was on set at Le Mans Crescent.
The show then took viewers to the Royal Balti House, famous from Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights, where Paddy McGuinness and Ainsley Harriott are among stars that have eaten there.
One episode of The Peaky Blinders shows the steps of the Magistrates Court, as Tommy Shelby walks out and throws up at the side, before talking to his wife, Lizzie.
Le Mans Crescent is on full display in this scene, and the cast were spotted filming in the area for the sixth and final season.
You can catch the episode on ITV Hub.