Smoggie Queens celebrated by Boro mural
BBCA mural has been unveiled to celebrate a BBC comedy series' connection to the town that inspired it.
Artwork of Smoggie Queens now features on the side of the Cleveland Centre on Grange Road, Middlesbrough. It was created by artist Stephen Irving.
The BBC Three comedy was written by BAFTA-nominated Phil Dunning and was filmed in his hometown featuring local talent. The project is part of the BBC's commitment to invest at least £40m in TV commissioning in the region.
Dunning said one of the best things about working on the show was "shining a light on all the creativity that you can find in Boro".
He said: "To see that now captured in Stephen's mural is mint."
Irving, known as Zero Gradient, has created the artwork which depicts the out and proud TV characters in front of the landmark Tees Transporter Bridge.
The unveiling marks the return of the show's second season, with more shenanigans from Dickie (Phil Dunning), Mam (Mark Benton), Lucinda (Alexandra Mardell), Sal (Patsy Lowe) and Stewart (Elijah Young).
BBC commissioning editor Gregor Sharp said it was fantastic to see the characters immortalised at the iconic location.
He said: "The BBC is proud to have commissioned a show that is filmed in, set in and unmistakably made of Middlesbrough."
Middlesbrough Council supported the project by allowing the mural to be painted on its building.
Mayor Chris Cooke said: "The show is full of the humour and personality of Middlesbrough so we were really pleased to support the mural."
Other BBC projects in the North East include The Northumbria Mysteries, starring Robson Green, to be filmed in Northumberland, and The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾, which is being filmed in Hartlepool and Sunderland.
