Writer McGovern acts as inspiration

Mar 28 2008 by Mike Chapple, Liverpool Daily Post

Liverpool writer, Jimmy McGovern (smiling) _320

AWARD-WINNING Liverpool writer Jimmy McGovern addressed a sell-out audience at the Fact centre, in Wood Street, last night.

He was joined by fellow Liverpudlian Arthur Ellison and Alice Nutter, from Leeds, who helped him write episodes of Series Two of the drama series, The Street.

Mr Ellison is a former plumber, while Ms Nutter was formerly with chart-topping band Chumbawumba.

All three talked about their work and shared some of their secrets with aspiring local writers about what makes a successful TV drama.

The event was organised Northwest Vision and Media and Bafta as part of a series of on-stage discussions to nurture writing at grass roots level. The evening was chaired by Laurence Marks, Bafta award-winning comedy writer of The New Statesman, Goodnight Sweetheart and Birds of a Feather.

Bafta Television Commission chairman John Willis said: “Jimmy’s commitment to untried writers in The Street made this event an absolute must for aspiring, as well as established writers.”

Mr McGovern said he was pleased how local writers were being encouraged in their work during Capital of Culture year.

“I wouldn’t have said that a couple of weeks ago, though. But, after meeting up and having a talk with Phil Redmond about what’s planned for the rest of the year, I think some good work will be done,” said the creator of the acclaimed TV series Cracker.

He is currently working on Series Three of The Street, but confessed: “I’m starting to lose my appetite and I think it shows. But I’ve still got a few new ideas at the back of my mind.

He added: “And one thing I really want to do is something that hangs Warren Bradley and his gang for what they’ve done to the people living up on Edge Lane.”

mikechapple@dailypost.co.uk