Express & Star

Greg Davies and other stars of BBC Three's Cuckoo in Lichfield premiere - in pictures

The stars of the television screen descended on the Midlands this week for the premiere of BBC Three comedy Cuckoo.

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Kenneth Collard, Helen Baxendale, Greg Davies, Esther Smith and Tyger Drew-Honey as they gather for the premier of Cuckoo at Lichfield Garrick

Comedian Greg Davies - of Wem in Shropshire - and Cold Feet and Friends star Helen Baxendale - who grew up in Shenstone and went to school in Lichfield - were at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre last night for the premiere and advanced screening of the latest series of the show.

Emma Parker from Kidderminster gets a selfie with Greg Davies

Hundreds of fans turned out for the red carpet event at the theatre to meet the stars and writers of the show – with more than 500 with tickets for the exclusive screening event and question and answer session.

Sarah Delaney from Solihull gets a selfie withTyger Drew-Honey

Cuckoo, which is set in Lichfield, tells the tale of young woman Rachel who returns home to her parents with a new beau; much to their dismay. The show, which is now in its fourth series also stars Tyger Drew-Honey, Esther Smith, Kenneth Collard and Twilight star Taylor Lautner.

Greg Davies and Helen Baxendale pictured at the premier of Cuckoo at Lichfield Garrick,

Shropshire comedian Greg plays the part of Rachel's father Ken, while Helen plays the part of her mother Lorna.

Crowds at the premiere of BBC Three comedy Cuckoo

At the beginning of the new series, Dale is desperate to prove himself worthy of Rachel's hand in marriage and decides to set up as a business visionary, but his partner is less than perfect. Meanwhile, Ken is getting ready for the very prestigious Lawyer of the Year Awards.

Greg Davies

Greg said: "This season has kind of settled down from all the madness of the previous seasons. Ken and Lorna have had their son. Ken has his lawyer's practice which is going fine, and Rachel and Dale are in a steady relationship.

Kenneth Collard, Helen Baxendale, Greg Davies, Esther Smith and Tyger Drew-Honey as they gather for the premier of Cuckoo at Lichfield Garrick

"At the beginning we as a family seem like everything has settled down nicely – then gradually everything starts to unravel. The series is just based on a family who are just getting on all right, getting through life, supporting each other.

Kenneth Collard

"We all have a lot of fun filming, it's a lovely family atmosphere. It doesn't feel like work at all.

Helen Baxendale

"It's lovely to be bringing the premiere to Lichfield – I'm not aware of any other shows based in Lichfield."

Greg Davies

Helen added: "It's great that the show is set in a real place too – you have a lot of programmes where it's just set in the north somewhere, it's good to actually name the place.

"I grew up in Lichfield, I lived here between the ages of three and 16 years old and I went to a local school. I have very happy memories of growing up in Lichfield.

Esther Smith

"It is certainly bizarre to come back, but it is also really nice – my parents don't live here anymore either and I haven't been to this venue since it was the Civic Hall."

Stourbridge-born Esther Smith, who has played daughter Rachel since series two, said it's great to be part of a project based in the West Midlands.

Tyger Drew-Honey

She said: "Stourbridge is still my home and I am so proud to be from there.

"It is lovely to be holding this screening in Lichfield where the show is actually based. I feel so lucky, it's such a special project being from the Midlands."

Season four of Cuckoo is set to air this summer.