Yahoo News Dave Fishwick confirms Jason Manford signs up for Bank of Dave: The Musical
A top comedian has been signed up to star as Dave Fishwick in the upcoming Bank of Dave: The Musical .
Burnley businessman Dave, who is a regular on Good Morning Britain, revealed on today's show that the musical will take to the stage next year. Netflix's film based on Dave's founding a community bank, released last year, was a huge hit and is set to be followed by a sequel in 2025.
After comedian Jason Manford admitted last week that he would love to play the main character in an upcoming musical Dave has now confirmed he has officially joined the line-up. The musical will tell the story of Dave's inspiration to set up his own bank after coming across local businesses who were struggling to secure loans from mainstream lenders.
Manford, who has appeared in several stage musicals, including comedies The Producers and Curtains, as well as Sweeney Todd, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Guys And Dolls and The Wizard Of Oz, said on his radio show last week: "So obviously they need a Northerner who can sing and act so I'm up there! And also, available."
Speaking on yesterday's BBC Breakfast Dave said the musical will be "the first" to come from Burnley. "I checked. I looked on Google," he added.
Dave admitted that he had been approached with the idea of turning his story into a musical "some time ago" and said he instantly thought it would be "a great idea". "I'll be getting my dancing shoes on," Dave added on today's Good Morning Britain.
When it comes to the songs Dave said he "would love original songs" but is keen for one to be performed by his favourite bank Def Leppard.
Dave also said that the musical has already been written and that he and the writers are "going through the script at the moment". On July 5 Dave will be meeting with the writers when he will go through the script "for the first time".
