Consett, a town in County Durham, has gained a slice of TV stardom after featuring in the new Channel 5 thriller Forever Home, with scenes shot in its streets and inside one of its most famous pubs.
Filming in Consett
The drama, which premiered at the Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle city centre earlier this month, made its debut on Channel 5 at the start of last week. The cast includes Denise Welch, former Emmerdale actress Amy Nuttall, and Strictly Come Dancing favourite Lewis Cope, who previously appeared in Vera.
Cope, a consistent high scorer on Strictly last year without making the final, was seen on the streets of Consett filming scenes last year, before also getting in front of camera inside Bellamy's, where several locals were recruited as extras.
Local reaction
Residents were excited to catch a glimpse of their home town when they tuned in to watch Forever Home last week. While the show continues on Channel 5 on September 21, many viewers have already watched the full series, and the ending has become a talking point online.
Having instantly recognised Consett on screen in episode 4, one local took to Facebook to post: "I screamed with delight when I realised it was Consett. Top of the bank" as another responded: "Just watched it all, fantastic series."
Other North East locations
Consett is not the only North East location seen in Forever Home. The cast and crew also shot in Hexham, Stocksfield and at a show home in Prudhoe earlier in the year. They became particularly big fans of Zyka Indian restaurant in Hexham, which hosted the show's wrap party once filming had come to an end.
Both Denise and Amy, who plays central character Carol Crottie in Forever Home alongside Denise as her on-screen mum, were also keen to give a 'shout out' to The Beaumont Hotel in Hexham, where they both stayed during filming. Amy added: "They looked after us so well and it's a beautiful place to stay."
