Lancashire TV Stars

Lancashire is no stranger to the big screen, with many cities, towns and villages being used as the backdrop in several big-name films and TV shows. From sci-fi series like Andor, which used Cleveleys beach front as the fictional seaside resort of Niamos, to A Brief Encounter, that was predominantly filmed at Carnforth Train Station, you’ll find may places in Lancashire right on your TV.

It’s not just the beautiful landscape and unique landmarks that can be spotted on screen though; with many of Lancashire’s incredible businesses having their time in the limelight too! The biggest success story for a Lancashire business on screen is Bank of Dave; a comedy-drama film based on the true events of Dave Fishwick from Burnley who set up Burnley Savings and Loans in 2011.

In this post we’re shining a light on some of the great Lancashire businesses and business owners who have had their stories showcased on some of the most well-loved small screen shows, and more.

The Hairy Bikers airy

Dave Myers and Si King are well-loved celebrity chefs who rose to fame during the early 2000s. Known collectively as The Hairy Bikers, they started The Hairy Bikers Cookbook in 2004 and have gone on to steal the nations hearts through various shows for BBC and UKTV.

Dave from the duo classes himself as a Lancashire lad, and the pair have showcased the area well.

In the ‘Hairy Bikers Go North’ series, which aired in 2021, the pair started their journey in Lancashire, visiting the award-winning Parkers Arms, last original UK temperance bar Mr Fitzpatricks, and making their very own gin from scratch at Goosnargh Gin. It was then on to Blackpool to enjoy a famous Notarianni Ice Cream and a trip to Pleasure Beach and the world-famous Blackpool Tower.

More recently in February 2024, the pair returned to Lancashire as part of their ‘Hairy Bikers Go West’ series. This time they visited two Michelin Star restaurant Moor Hall in Aughton to create “biblical” lobster and tomato dish with Chef Patron Mirk Birchall and take a visit to Croftpak in Tarleton where Mark gets his tomatoes.

Next on the list was Brick Kiln Farm; home of Fiddler’s Lancashire Crisps. Here they toured the potato farm and the factory and sampled some tasty Lancashire Sauce flavoured snacks. Then on to Mr Thompson’s Bakery in Ormskirk to sample gingerbread made from a recipe dating back to the 1700s.

Finally the pair headed to Lancaster where they met with the Global Village Café community team and went to Archers Café at Red Bank Farm to taste the speciality “lamb bacon” created from the salt marsh raised lambs on the farm.   

Four in a Bed

This channel 4 reality TV show were B&Bs, hotels and glamping site owners take turns to stay with one another and critique their findings can prove to be a nail-biting watch! A score is given for each stay, with every fifth episode concluding which accommodation provider won that segment.

The show has been running for 24 seasons since it started in 2002, and many of Lancashire’s accommodation providers have taken part, with great success.

The county’s popular luxury glamping sites have really shone, with Hedgerow Luxury Glamping, Secret Garden Glamping and Orchard Glamping all showcasing their wonderful facilities. Orchard Glamping won their segment of the show during season 18.

The show has also featured Blackpool’s Hotel Sheraton, Whitehall Hotel in Darwen, The Avenue Hotel in Langho), The White Bear in Chorley, Marlow Lodge in Blackpool, The Winterbourne Hotel in Blackpool and Guest House in Worsthorne. With The Winterbourne and the Guest House in Worsthorne taking away the crown for their segments.

Dragons Den

A show dedicated to aspiring entrepreneurs pitching their business to millionaire investors, Dragons Den has been on our TV sets since January 2005. Over the years there have been a number of successful companies born from or improved significantly from investment gained from the show.

Already this year (2024) two of Lancashire’s businesses have been successful on the latest series, with Derry Green from Secret Garden Glamping looking for investment to help franchise his glamping business and winning over all five of the Dragons, eventually taking Debroh Meaden’s offer. The other is Buckshaw Village’s Gemma Connelly of Scoff Paper, producer of edible dog cards which can be found online and in Good Intent Gifts’ Doggy Gift Pack, securing £50,000 towards building her business from Sarah Davies.

The business behind Hole in Wand in Blackpool also appeared on the show last year looking for investment to take the course to a third location, but turned down the offer pitched back to them.

Wedding Valley

Wedding Valley is a whole series dedicated to the Ribble Valley and its’ wedding businesses which aired on the W Channel on Freeview in 2022. The series followed weddings taking place across the Ribble Valley highlighting the businesses used for each wedding, including venues, accommodation, bakers, dress shops, florists and more.

It showcases the passion and commitment of so many Lancashire wedding businesses including wedding venues Mitton Hall Hotel, Eaves Hall, Browsholme Hall, Bashall Barn, Mytton Fold, Mrs Dowsons Farm, Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn Park, Hobbit Hill and The Out Barn. The show also features Ameila’s Bridal shop in Clitheroe, LuLu Browns Bridal Boutique in Whalley, The Sweetest Thing Cakery in Accrington, and Whalley’s The Flower Girls Florist.