Stacey Dooley visits Failsworth bar for new BBC series

The TV presenter spent two days meeting with local volunteers at Billy’s Bar, who are helping to clean up the Rochdale canal.

Litter, and the communities coming together to tackle the problem, will be the subject of Dooley’s new series.

Under the working title ‘Stacey Dooley Cleans Up’, the Strictly winner is visiting Belfast, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Preston, the Lake District, South Wales and Plymouth to investigate claims that littering is a crime without consequence.

Volunteers in Failsworth regularly meet to tidy up the canal area as part of an initiative led by councillor Sandra Ball. They even use canoes to get out onto the water .

Stacey Dooley with Mark's grandsons Archie and Reggie K (Image: Billy's Bar)

Commenting on the filming experience, Billy’s Bar owner Mark Cooney told The Oldham Times: “It’s all about the community getting together and cleaning up. With ours being the community pub of Failsworth, this is where they had their base.

“They went around to see all my customers, making sure everyone was happy with what they were doing and how they feel about the canal.

“This is what it’s all about – community spirit.”

Mr Cooney said it was particularly special for Failsworth residents to be recognised for their hard work cleaning up the community.

He said: “It was very nice because some of the people they interviewed have never been on the TV.

“They all feel that they've been forgotten in Failsworth. It's never usually here, is it? And now we’ve got the memorial here for Mani as well,” Mr Cooney added, referencing the newly completed mural for the Stone Roses bassist.

The mural was also the reason behind another celebrity visit to Billy’s Bar this week from singer Rowetta.

BBC camera crew filming Stacey Dooley's new series at Billy's Bar (Image: Billy's Bar)

Mr Cooney said: “It’s like we’re getting Failsworth back on the map.”

Commenting on her new show, Dooley said: “I genuinely can’t wait to start working on this new series, with the emphasis on restoring pride to our beloved communities. Litter legitimately winds me up…maybe it’s because I’m approaching 40!

“I’ll be walking around a beautiful park, and the rubbish honestly infuriates me. We’ve got this beautiful country that we should all be looking after.

“I’m looking forward to meeting amazing individuals and going to parts of the UK I may not have yet spent time in.”