John Godber working on Hull’s version of TV series Brookside

The dramatist said he was superstitious and didn’t want to mention too much.

“I was one of the people who set up Brookside a long, long time ago and saw what it did for Liverpool,” he said.

“We have been trying to do that in the city for a long time. We’re edging closer.

“I feel if I’ve said it now, it won’t happen!

“I don’t know why it’s such an effort.

“You seem to be able to make a television series in every other city in the country, but every time I talk about making the series actually set in Hull and filmed in Hull – not filmed in Leeds pretending it’s in Hull – that seems to be beyond the imagination of some television producers and I don’t understand why.”

In the meantime, he has started rehearsals for his new play, The Highwayman, external, which is going on tour from 23 October.

Godber, who has lived in Hull since he became artistic director of Hull Truck Theatre Company in 1984, is known for his observational comedies that reflect ordinary people’s lives.

Plays such as Bouncers, Shakers and Perfect Pitch were inspired by the people and places of Yorkshire and Humberside.