Alan Cumming Films Tip Toe on Manchester’s Canal Street

Russell T Davies, the creator of Tip Toe, has praised Manchester as a major centre for television production, saying he is always happy to film in the city’s Gay Village. Davies has previously used the area as a location for scenes in his TV trilogy Cucumber, Banana and Tofu, as well as in It’s A Sin, and he described Manchester as “Manchattan” in recognition of its energy, character and value as a filming destination.

Speaking about his work and his approach to making television, Davies said he is proud that he has never lived in London and has never based his productions there. He said he strongly supports taking television production outside the capital, arguing that creators should avoid relying on the same backgrounds, the same plot settings and the same routines. For Davies, moving production away from London opens up more creative possibilities and helps reflect a wider range of places and voices.

Davies said Manchester offers exactly that kind of opportunity. He praised the city’s “workmanship and craft and genius,” describing it as a place full of talent and creative energy. His comments reflect the continuing importance of Manchester in British television and film production, where a growing number of major projects have been made in recent years.

The writer and producer has long been associated with bold, distinctive drama and has often used Northern locations to shape the look and feel of his work. His repeated return to Manchester highlights both the practical and artistic appeal of the city, which has become known for supporting high-profile productions and attracting leading industry talent.

Manchester’s Gay Village in particular has become a recognizable setting in Davies’ storytelling, helping to anchor his dramas in a specific urban environment with strong cultural identity. By filming there again, he continues a long-standing relationship with the city and its creative community.

Davies’ remarks also underline a broader debate within the television industry about where major productions are made. His comments suggest that talent, originality and quality are not confined to London, and that some of the strongest creative work can come from elsewhere in the country. In his view, Manchester is not just an alternative location but one of the best places to make television.

He ended his praise with a clear endorsement of the city, saying he is “very proud of Manchester” and that he loves working there. His words position Manchester as both a practical production hub and a source of inspiration, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most important centres for screen storytelling in the UK.