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Boost for business as Michelle Keegan and Joe Gilgun resume filming Brassic

Freddy Khattab (middle), Michelle Keegan (second left) and the cast of Brassic
Freddy Khattab (middle), Michelle Keegan (second left) and the cast of Brassic

The cast of Brassic descended on an East Lancashire business and community hub at the weekend as they resume filming Brassic season five.

Michelle Keegan, Joe Gilgun and other cast members visited The Circle in Bacup, praising its interiors and “f*****g amazing pizza”.

The former St Johns the Evangelist Church in Fern Street has been transformed into an arts, culture and events space by Freddy Khattab.

Freddy Khattab with Michelle Keegan

Freddy said it was a “delight” to welcome cast and crew to the space last Friday (30 September) and said they have amassed hundreds of new social media followers as a result.

Freddy said: “The cast and crew were amazing and super friendly.

“The whole day was really nice. I was not expecting them to be so friendly and down-to-earth.

“Michelle and Joe were absolutely amazing and fell in love with the church.

“They asked me if they could take pictures. They said it was “absolutely stunning” and that the venue “needed to be put on the map.”

Michelle posted a video of the building to her 6.2 million Instagram followers. The Circle then gained 250 followers overnight.

Freddy said Chorley actor Joe had high praise for the venue’s margherita pizza.

He said: “Joe was having his makeup finished upstairs.

“He left makeup before they were finished to find me and say ‘Freddy you have made my day – the venue is stunning and that is the best f*****g pizza I have had’.

“He is really funny in real life too.”

Freddy Khattab with Michelle Keegan

Freddy says he has “put his all” into the venue and had been planning to open it for more than six years.

He said the Brassic family’s kind words and response from the public means a lot to The Circle team.

He said: “It’s been amazing to hear the feedback from the Brassic family – and it’s not only them. People are travelling to us from all over Lancashire, Manchester and beyond.

“My aim was to attract people to Rossendale and I have achieved this in the four months I have been open.

“I enjoyed having them here and I can’t wait for them to come back.”

Freddy said the cast could return to the venue in November where filming for the show will resume.

A spokesperson for Sky said the series is filming in various locations across Lancashire until the end of 2022.

Damien Molony and Michelle Keegan filming Brassic in Bacup (Photo: Sky)

Season five will air late next year but season four, also filmed in Bacup, is currently available to watch on Sky and streaming service NOW.

Bacup featured in Wednesday night’s episode (October 5) as Erin (Michelle) tries to raise some cash for the struggling local community centre by organising a charity fete.

Sky Original Brassic 4 continues Wednesdays 10pm on Sky Max and NOW.