Did you know that a new biopic about a real-life millionaire from Burnley has surprisingly shot to the top of the Netflix charts?
It’s probably not what you’d expect, but in what has proved to be an unlikely smash-hit success for the streaming service, Netflix’s newest original film, Bank of Dave, has become the number one movie on the platform, beating out some genuine heavy-hitting features.
And people are absolutely loving it.
Bank of Dave is now available to stream on Netflix / Credit: Netflix UK & Ireland
Based on the true-life experiences of Dave Fishwick, Bank of Dave tells the story of how a working class man from Burnley became a self-made millionaire and fought to set up a community bank, so that he could help the local businesses of his beloved town not only survive in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, but also thrive.
Starring BAFTA-nominated actor Rory Kinnear as the title character, in his bid to help his beloved community of Burnley, Dave has to take on the elitist financial institutions of London and fight to receive the first new banking license to be issued in over 100 years.
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The film also stars / Credit: Netflix UK & Ireland
Alongside Kinnear stars Stockport-born Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor as feisty local doctor Alexandra, and Joel Fry – who audiences may know for his roles in Yesterday, and 2021 live action Disney remake Cruella – as young London lawyer named Hugh who is hired by Dave to fight his case against the British banking system.
Legendary British actor Hugh Bonneville also stars in the film, and there’s even an unexpected cameo from rock band Def Leppard.
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As you can probably tell by the synopsis, Bank of Dave isn’t quite the film you’d imagine to have captured the hearts of audiences nationwide as much as it has.
/ Credit: Netflix UK & Ireland
But in the first week since its release, the movie has been watched millions of times and has already become on of the feel-good success of the year so far.
People who’ve had the chance to see it have been taking to social media to share how much they love the film.
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Fans are also encouraging others to give it a watch too.
Living in East Lancs we're known for poverty, football & our dodgy history with witches but how brilliant to see the real warmth of #Burnley in @netflix hit @BankofDave. It tells the story of @FishwickDavid taking on the establishment & is guaranteed to warm the❤️on a cold night
#BankofDave is a brilliant watch on @NetflixUK. Well worth a couple of hours of your time. Amazing true story and credit to everyone involved. Great example of community spirit and community power. @FishwickDavid
We’ve just finished watching #TheBankOfDave on @netflix – what a fabulous feel good film for a Friday night. Inspirational and truly beautiful – so happy for @BankofDave and all the residents of Burnley.
One enthusiastic fan wrote on Twitter: “Just watched Bank of Dave on Netflix. Fantastic. Brilliant. Feel-good film, and paints burnley for what it is – a reyt grand place.”
Another fan said on Twitter: “The Bank of Dave on Netflix is the feel good film of the year. A film about community has never been so timely. Every government minister should watch it,” while a third added: “I need a Bank Of Dave sequel immediately.
“One of THE most beautiful, heartfelt, poignant, magical and amazing films I’ve ever seen. I adore it. To everyone involved, thank you. Oh and thanks to the credits, I just found out it’s a TRUE STORY.”
Bank of Dave is now available to stream on Netflix.
Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade
Danny Jones
We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.
Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.
The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.
Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…
Watch as a Manc firefighter turns his passing out ceremony into a surprise proposal.
As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.
You already know the rest.
Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.
Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.
If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.
All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.
Featured Images — Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
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The Chestergate pub in Stockport is at it again with some of the most wonderfully Manc scenes you’ll ever see
Danny Jones
The legendary Chestergate pub in Stockport is back with another belter of a video, following on from their viral belly-flashing clip of 2022.
The Mersey Square boozer has painted yet another quintessentially Northern depiction of UK pub culture with the latest Manc scenes they’ve captured around the karaoke machine.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of stumbling into The Chestergate in Stockport town centre, the long-standing boozer currently operated by publican chain Blind Tiger Inns, you’re seriously missing out.
While it might not be the flashiest of pubs, when it comes to entertainment, it always delivers.
Whether it’s stunts like renaming themselves ‘The Southgate’ whenever the Euros or World Cup rolls around, or the locals just genuinely having a whale of a time no matter what day of the week it is, it really sums up the best of pub culture.
The Chestergate went viral for some of the most British footage ever caught on film back in 2022 and the videos saw a huge wave of love and support flooding in for the pub, as well as a healthy amount of chuckles. Safe to say we were chuffed to see them pop back up on our feed again recently.
Karaoke night at The Chestergate literally never disappoints.
Forget ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ or ‘Champagne Supernova’ for karaoke songs – we’ll take a cacophony of inaudible throwback pop music, whilst another bloke and his hype man try and MC over a totally ill-fitting beat any day of the week.
And that’s handy because you’ll find those kinds of shenanigans happening at this place all the time.
It’s simultaneously one of the most no-nonsense and somehow a non-stop shenanigan-filled paradise. They also look after their own and consider their regulars part of the family. Case and point: they threw their very own ‘Dancing Queen’ Molly a big bash for her 86th birthday and it’s such wholesome viewing.
At this point, it’s worth flagging that we have nothing but envy for these folks and anyone who’s just out there having the time of their lives on any random weeknight.
Yes, it produced plenty of laughs for those watching online in recent times but this lot won’t mind one bit – not only is the pub seeing more and more new faces through the door but that’s the whole point of a pub, isn’t it? Going for a pint with your nearest and dearest and having a laugh.
Not only is it very Manchester but it’s Britain at its very best.
We hope to see you at The Chestergate pub in Stockport for a pint or two sometime soon and we’re making a bit of a prat of ourselves, don’t worry, we’re sure they’ll have the cameras ready for you.
Emily Sergeant -
24th January 2023 
