Comedian Harry Hill's debut film to be set in Blackpool

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-22479439

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Comedian Harry Hill's first film is to be set in Blackpool.

The Harry Hill Movie will also star Matt Lucas as the TV Burp star's twin and Julie Walters as his petrol-drinking grandmother.

In the film the comic goes on a road-trip to the resort after he learns his hamster has only a week to live.

Marketing Blackpool's Sarah Rhodes said: "It will showcase the town's most famous landmarks. Harry Hill who co-wrote it is a huge fan of Blackpool."

'Comedy greats'

Inbetweeners star Simon Bird, Sheridan Smith who played Rudi in Gavin and Stacey, and Jim Broadbent whose many film credits include Bridget Jones's Diary, will also feature in the film.

The film sees Hill and Walters pursued by a mad vet played by Bird on their travels. They then meet a pop band turned Bed and Breakfast owners which culminates in a fight at the top of Blackpool Tower.

Harry Hill said he was thrilled to be making his film debut.

He said: "At last, to be able to tell the world the true story of my hamster's struggle on the big screen and even more excited to be working with some of the comedy greats of the British film industry."

Ms Rhodes, communications manager for Marketing Blackpool, said it was "really exciting".

'Mr Bean'

She said the family resort was the perfect setting for the film which is due to be released at the end of the year.

"It is aimed at a family audience so we feel it will be a fantastic showcase for some of the town's most iconic landmarks and attractions."

Filming in various locations across the UK starts on Sunday for about eight weeks.

The filming in Blackpool will take approximately five days.

The film is directed by Steve Bendelack, who directed Mr Bean's Holiday, and is financed by Entertainment Film Distributors.