Wigan filth-buster Tracey stars in TV show

Often funny, sometimes shocking but always enlightening, the second series of Sewermen launches on Thursday May 14 at 9pm on Paramount Network and continues at the same time each week.

Filmed by production company, Label1 TV, the brains behind the BBC’s award-winning documentary series Hospital, Sewermen gets down and dirty with the hard-working folk from the North West’s regional water and wastewater firm, United Utilities.

For filth aficionados there’s lots of fun and games with the firms’ “poo patrol” poking through our drains to clear blockages and stop sewer flooding.

Among the shows stars is filth-buster boss, Tracey McGovern, who features in the show with her team of specially-trained filth-busters.

These brave guys and girls travel the region cleaning some of the dirtiest and trickiest sewers and tanks so that they’re fit to fight another day.

The 54-year-old from Hindley, who works for United Utilities, found working on the Sewermen series nerve-wracking yet exciting.

She said: “I was worried about saying the wrong thing, saying too much or not saying enough.

“But the film crews were brilliant, they really tried to put you at ease and make the experience as enjoyable as possible.

“They made you feel like you were doing a great job and they seemed genuinely interested in the work we do.

“I spent two days out filming with two different film crews on two different jobs.

“I loved it. It was fun and interesting to see how they put the show together.”

United Utilities’ customer services director Louise Beardmore said: “This show is a window into our world and shines a light on the essential service we provide.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to see what we do every day.

“Water company staff are among the army of key workers making sure the UK continues to have the vital services it needs during the current COVID-19 crisis.

“Thousands of our people continue to be out on the UK’s streets carrying out critical maintenance, laying new pipes, finding and fixing leaks and unblocking sewers.”

Label1 Series Editor, Helen White, said: “We were privileged to capture a second series of Sewermen following the everyday heroes at United Utilities.

“We’ve filmed more great stories this year from technicians battling blocked drains to engineers tackling burst pipes and huge engineering projects. We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to all staff and customers who took part in or helped with filming.”

The Paramount Network can be found on Freeview Channel 31, Freesat 132 and Sky 150.

A message from the Editorial Director, Gillian Parkinson:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy when you pop out for your essential shop or subscribing for delivery.

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE: You can subscribe for delivery by contacting us at [email protected] or calling us on 0330 4033004 for details of a participating newsagent near you.