Hollyoaks’ Phoebe loved filming in city

BRITISH soap star Mandip Gill, who plays Phoebe McQueen in Hollyoaks, says she’s had a great time filming in Londonderry and looks forward to seeing the beautiful city broadcast to a million people on the small screen later in the year.
Hollyoaks stars in Londonderry. Mandip Gil (right) says they loved filming here.Hollyoaks stars in Londonderry. Mandip Gil (right) says they loved filming here.
Hollyoaks stars in Londonderry. Mandip Gil (right) says they loved filming here.

She said: “I think I speak for us all in saying we’ve had a great time working in Derry~Londonderry. The reception has been brilliant with large crowds watching us film exterior scenes.

“I am looking forward to watching these episodes air and hope we managed to capture the beautiful scenery of this city.”

The Hollyoaks crew are completing a five-day shoot in Londonderry, as they put the finishing touches to an exciting new storyline for the Channel Four soap opera.

The storyline, which will air later in the autumn, centres on Phoebe and Vincent Elegba (John Omole) who come to the city to get married in a desperate bid the keep Vincent in the UK.

The story also featured George (Steven Roberts), Tilly (Lucy Dixon) and Esther (Jazmine Franks).

The filmmakers captured many of the city’s iconic landmarks, filming at the Peace Bridge, Guildhall Square, Waterloo Place, the City Walls, Shipquay Street, inside the Guildhall and on Spencer Road in the Waterside.

A number of local students were involved in the production of the shoot while local people were also involved as extras.

Both cast and crew members said they couldn’t remember receiving such a warm welcome from the people of a city on any previous on-location shoot.

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of Culture Company 2013, said: “With the city looking so fantastic at the minute I am sure it will shine like a real star of the show when the storyline airs on Chanel Four later this year.

“It was great to welcome Hollyoaks to town and it will provide a great platform for showing Derry~Londonderry to a new young audience.”