The trailer for a comedy pilot, that was filmed in Padiham by a Burnley filmmaker, has been released – and you might recognise one of the actors.

Burnley filmmaker and actor, Jack Hartley, has written and directed the pilot episode of The Baths.

Filming for the episode took place over three days at Padiham Leisure Centre in April 2022.

Jack, a former Towneley High School pupil, said he is proud to release the trailer, after working on it for more than a year.

He hopes the norther humour in the show appeals to people in Lancashire.

Lancashire Telegraph: Alice Barry filming The Baths Alice Barry filming The Baths (Image: Sam Crowston)He said: “The tone of the show is very much so inspired by the work of Peter Kay, Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash (The Royle Family).

“I felt like it was time for a new northern comedy and this concept had been jumping out at me for some time."

The trailer takes viewers to the fictional Gorple Baths highlighting the funny and “dysfunctional” relationships between the staff that work there.

Jack said: “In this pilot we see a team of staff at Gorple Baths rival against each other in order to achieve the employee of the month badge.

Lancashire Telegraph: Alice Barry (middle) and other cast members of The BathsAlice Barry (middle) and other cast members of The Baths (Image: Sam Crowston)“Gorple Baths is under extreme pressure due to the cost of living crisis, which is heavily impacting on the usual footfall. Management are doing all they can to keep it a float.”

You might recognise of the actors from Channel 4 comedy, Shameless UK, a show which aired from 2005-2014.

Burnley actress Alice Barry played local busy-body and brothel owner, Lilian Tyler, on the Channel 4 show.

Clips of the pilot have gone viral on video sharing platform, TikTok. Jack has created an account specifically for the fictional Gorple Baths.

 

@gorplebaths The kids loved him. Playing darts with bad eyes? #badeyes #darts #badeyesight #excuses #swimmingpool #ukcomedy #comedyreels #comedyreel #britishcomedytings #funny #tiktok ♬ original sound - Gorple Baths

 

One clip, starring Alice,  has amassed more than 97,000 views.

The trailer itself has received more than 335,000 views on Twitter.

The Baths, which was made on a shoestring budget, is set to be premiered at Reel Cinema in Burnley at a later date.

It is also in the process of being pitched to major production companies, in the hopes that it will be picked up and turned into a six-part series.

Jack said: “We are in the process of arranging a local premiere in Burnley at Reel Cinema with the support of Padiham Leisure Centre and the Burnley Leisure Group.

Lancashire Telegraph: Jack Hartley filming and directing The Baths Jack Hartley filming and directing The Baths (Image: Sam Crowston)“The intention now is to convince a major broadcasting company that this is a show worth supporting being made.  

"Ideally I would develop a six-part series and get that made then take it from there. 

“If all goes to plan I’ll be keeping the people of Burnley at the forefront of my mind when it comes to casting and I would love to arrange some open casting days to generate opportunities for local people who may never of acted before.”

Jack is now encouraging the public to share the trailer far and wide.

Anyone interested in supporting the film can contact Jack on Twitter (@JackAHartley) or Instagram ( @thechampionsparkplug).