Q&A with Katie Lander, creator of Channel 4 documentary BANK OF DAVE

To celebrate our world premiere Made at Curve musical BANK OF DAVE opening here in Leicester, we’re looking back to where it all started, when Dave’s story was first brought to the screen in the Channel 4 documentary BANK OF DAVE. 

Katie Lander, Managing Director of Finestripe Productions, created the BAFTA and RTS Award-Winning Channel 4 Series that made Dave a household name. Read on to find out more about how Katie discovered Dave and shared his story with millions. 

How did you first hear about Dave Fishwick?  

Tony Livesey from 5Live called me to say that a friend of his was looking to meet someone in TV. He said he would set up a meeting and I drove down from Glasgow to meet the two of them at a motel just off the M6 called the Tickled Trout. I knew very little about him, except that he was successful and was in the mini-bus business. 

What was your first impression of Dave? 

He was amazing. So full of positivity and energy. He clearly loved his life; he loved Burnley and was ambitious to do more. He knew he could achieve anything he set his mind to. 

What was the reaction to the documentary?  

It took time to work out what we could do with Dave that would make ‘good TV.’ We shot a short ‘taster’ about the Bank of Dave, but none of us really knew if it would be possible to open a bank. Broadcasters felt the same. They loved Dave but it seemed impossible that he could really pull it off! Eventually, after a lot of knockbacks, Channel 4 commissioned it and we started filming. The night the first documentary went out, it went wild on social media. It clearly touched a nerve with millions of viewers. 

Why do you think Dave’s story resonated with so many people?  

Dave’s story is a David and Goliath tale. How could someone like him take on the banking establishment? He is so loyal to the town he grew up in and he cares so much about people who – through no fault of their own, are finding life tough. He has never changed in the fifteen years that I have known him. 

What has been your proudest moment in the BANK OF DAVE journey? 

I’ve had so many proud moments in the Bank of Dave journey. We have won many awards, the bank changed so many lives and the two Netflix movies were brilliant. In Dave: Loan Ranger, we took on the payday loan companies and got them closed down – that was powerful TV. 

You saw the musical recently – what did you think?  

I was so impressed with the musical. It’s so funny, sharp and feel good – the production team have done the most incredible job on it. It’s an exhilarating night at the theatre. The Netflix films took the documentaries to the next level and the musical has taken it even further. All credit goes to Nikolai, Rob and Pippa plus amazing actors and supporting teams around them. If you like musicals, you will love it. If you think musicals aren’t for you then I think you’re in for a surprise. It’s fantastic. 

BANK OF DAVE THE MUSICAL runs at Curve 20 – 30 May.