Aliens land in Clitheroe for top new television comedy

A top new television comedy about an alien invasion of Clitheroe lands on TV screens later this month.

We Are Not Alone, written by Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond, of Ghosts and Horrible Histories fame, and produced by Big Talk, which has been behind numerous TV hits, most recently The Outlaws, explores the culture clash between humankind and aliens, who decide to run Britain from its geographical centre, Clitheroe.

But the hapless extra-terrestrials have to hire council ‘human liaison officer’ Stewart, played by Declan Baxter, to help them after struggling to govern the baffling humans.

Stewart strikes up an unlikely camaraderie with clumsy alien underling Greggs, played by Joe Thomas, of The Inbetweeners.

Several scenes were shot in Clitheroe last December, including at Castlegate and in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle.

Ribble Valley Borough Council leader Stephen Atkinson said: ‘The last two years have been the most challenging the borough has ever faced, and this new comedy will boost our post-pandemic recovery by introducing Clitheroe to a national audience.

‘Tourism is a key part of our economic strategy and we have worked hard in partnership with Filming in England to develop the borough as a filming destination.

‘We can’t wait to find out if and how the aliens get to grips with the baffling British and look forward to welcoming We Are Not Alone enthusiasts to our beautiful borough over the coming months.’

The visitor economy generated over £260million for the Ribble Valley economy last year and the number of visitors to the borough topped four million.

And official statistics have revealed that film and TV production spend hit new UK records of £5.64billion in 2021.

Not only was Clitheroe the location for We are Not Alone, but the all-star movie, Greatest Days, based on the Take That songbook, was filmed in the town in April and is currently in post-production.

Jonny Shelton, production liaison manager for national screen agency Filming in England, said: ‘The UK’s screen industries have bounced back faster than any other industry post-pandemic and we are seeing unprecedented demand for content.

‘This content boom is providing unsurpassed opportunity and the English regions are at the forefront of it.

‘Productions are always on the lookout for unique locations and Clitheroe certainly fits the bill for this quirky new comedy that will introduce the town to a national audience.’

Dave channel director Cherie Cunningham added: ‘We Are not Alone is one of the most ambitious productions we have ever undertaken, with a hilarious script full of great characters and vivid world-building, and we are thrilled to have worked with Big Talk to bring it to television screens.’

We Are Not Alone will be screened at 9pm on Monday, November 28, on Dave and UKTV Play.