Blackpool on the Big Screen in The Harry Hill Movie

Blackpool will be showcased to cinema-goers over Christmas as The Harry Hill Movie is released.

Screen stars including Julie Walters, Sheridan Smith, Matt Lucas, Simon Bird and, of course, Harry Hill filmed in the UK’s most popular seaside resort earlier in the year.

The film centres around TV Burp star Harry Hill embarking on a road trip to Blackpool with his petrol-drinking nan (Julie Walters) to fulfil the dying wish of his pet hamster.

Locations used in the film included Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Central Pier, The Blackpool Tower and the Comedy Carpet and Promenade.

Harry Hill Location Manager Pat Karam said Blackpool was the perfect location.

He said: “It just had everything we needed. I have filmed in numerous seaside resorts and I can honestly say Blackpool has it all. Sea, beautiful stretches of Promenade, the all-important Blackpool Tower, the Illuminations, beaches, funfair rides and the list goes on. It really is a unique location and while it was great for filming, the whole cast and crew had a great time staying there.”

The Harry Hill Movie is just one of more than 40 films and TV shows to have been filmed in Blackpool this year.

Cllr Graham Cain, Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, added: “We were delighted to welcome The Harry Hill Movie to Blackpool as this looks to be a really fun family film.

“We have had some high profile and great filming in Blackpool over the last 12 months including Coronation Street, Strictly, Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, the Compare the Market Meerkat ad idents and lots of children’s TV shows.

“It is great to welcome positive filming to Blackpool. It is never just a case of someone turning up with a camera and shooting. Weeks and sometimes many months of planning go into sourcing the right locations, and sometimes even props, in Blackpool.

“It is our job to ensure that when those film crews arrive, whether for a big budget film or a children’s show, they have everything they need, they have their desired location and most importantly, that their experience of Blackpool means they will want to return.”

A spokesman for Blackpool Pleasure Beach added: “It was a pleasure to have Harry Hill and the crew for the movie here during the summer.

“Harry was very funny and took time out of his busy schedule to chat with the ride operators and was impressed by the park which he has visited a number of times.

“We are all very excited about seeing Harry Hill on the big screen and see Blackpool in all its glory. Having Harry here made the town smile even more than it does already!”

The Harry Hill Movie opens in UK cinemas on December 20 and also features Marc Wootton, Jim Broadbent and indie band The Magic Numbers.

The film is directed by Steve Bendelack from a script by Harry Hill, Jon Foster and James Lamont.

To see a trailer of the Harry Hill Movie go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLgcYmhpFFI