Channel 4 TV series films in Rochdale Town Centre

Photo: Ruth Sandiford

Will Mellor being filmed in Russell's Cafe

A new Channel 4 comedy drama starring Will Mellor was filming in Rochdale Town Centre yesterday (Monday 20 October).

TV Star Will, who is known for his roles in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and Hollyoaks to name a few, was spotted in Russell’s Café in the Wheatsheaf Centre as he recorded his scenes for the new TV series.

No Offence is an eight part series from Paul Abbott, the creator of Shameless. The show follows a police team led by Detective Inspector Vivienne Deering, played by Joanna Scanlan, as they hunt down a serial killer.

Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre Manager Debbie Hernon said: “The centre has been open as normal while the filming has been going on and it has created quite a buzz with shoppers stopping on the balcony to watch and try and get a glimpse of Will. They have been doing a lot of filming in Russell’s Café with regular customers having a cuppa alongside the actors and extras.
 
“The location scouts had been in a couple of times but the actual shoot was only confirmed late last week and filming is only scheduled for one day. Will turned on the town centre Christmas lights a couple of years ago and it is lovely to have him back.”

Production trailers for the filming were set up on a nearby car park.
 
A spokesperson for Rochdale Council said: “We were happy to be able to help facilitate filming in the town centre and look forward to watching the end result.  The borough is becoming a regular location spot with scenes from the recent BBC series The Zoo filmed in Rochdale Town Hall.”

No Offence will air on Channel 4 in 2015.