A PRIMETIME BBC One show highlighted what Bradford has to offer in a special City of Culture segment last night.
The One Show, hosted by Alex Jones and Ronan Keating, cut to a feature celebrating the district, which is 140 miles long, at around 7.20pm.
Presenter Michelle Ackerley travelled around the city centre visiting its most well-known locations, including the National Science and Media Museum and the impending Bradford Live.
We're taking a look at the shortlisted areas for the City Of Culture 2025 🤩@MichAckerley continues her tour of all the finalists in the running - today, Bradford is up!
— BBC The One Show (@BBCTheOneShow) May 20, 2022
Stream #TheOneShow on @BBCiPlayer 👉 https://t.co/GWJyXEtpI4 pic.twitter.com/KuxB10NsL5
Following the VT, Jones asked guests, Game of Thrones actress Rose Leslie and comedian Iain Sterling, what they thought about Bradford.
While Leslie recalled that her best friend is from the city, the voice of ITV show Love Island was too busy mispronouncing the Alhambra Theatre.
Sterling said: “I have gigged in Bradford. They were lovely at the Ala-Hambra. I think it is called that!"
There were shoutouts for our famous names, Zayn Malik, David Hockney, and the Bronte Sisters, whilst others suggested Bradford is the curry capital.
Some interesting facts were brought up too. If you were not aware Bradford is home to Europe's first Imax and was formerly the world capital for wool in the 19th century.
Head judge of the UK City of Culture special advisory panel Sir Phil Redmond appeared in the clip and said: “I think it’s an interesting thing to try and find an identity for a city that was built back in the 19th century, and most people have forgotten why."
The city's filming heritage was of particular focus. In recent years, the BBC has shot Peaky Blinders and Happy Valley in the district.
Michelle spoke to Geoffrey Belknap, curator at the National Science and Media Museum, who showed her the Louis Le Prince, the first camera to shoot moving films.
Shanaz Gulzar, Bradford’s bid director, added: “Developing the bid has really galvanised our cultural sector. 26 per cent of our population is under 18. You can feel the energy and the momentum."
Hometown poet Kirsty Taylor got behind the mic to say: "It’s grey and bleak and broke and gritty. And we’d answer back but we are all too busy.
"Busy making art or busy writing bars. Busy doing up muck, busy doing up cars.
"You can take us off estates, you can put us on a bus. You can take us out of Bradford but you can never take the Bradford out of us."
A confident Kirsty added: "I want young people to say they’re proud to come from Bradford.
"A lot of young people do not know they are good at something because they have not been exposed to it. Being City of Culture will bring so much to people’s lives.
"I am excited to see where we go when we win."
Summarising her piece, Michelle said: "With grand Victorian architecture, food, fashion and music, Bradford definitely feels like it has got plenty to offer."
Read: Bradford 2025 bid makes final representations for City of Culture title - what happens now?
After visiting County Durham earlier this week, The One Show will travel to fellow finalists Wrexham and Southampton next week.
The long-anticipated announcement of the UK City of Culture 2025 winner is expected later this month.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel