Hollywood film producers have signed up the rights to the story of a plumber who landed a recording contract after being heard singing while fitting bathrooms. They plan to make a film based on the life of Kev Crane, who is originally from Long Eaton but lives in Leicestershire, after he secured a music deal while fitting the bathroom of a record producer.
The LA-based filmmakers got in touch with Kev after his story went around the world. Award-winning writer and director Stacy Sherman and American screenwriter and producer Billy Ray. Ray, who wrote the screenplay for the 2012 blockbuster The Hunger Games, now have the rights to Kev’s story.
“It’s like I’m watching this happen to someone else," Kev said. "Not for one minute did I think this could happen to me.
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“I’ve had some sleepless nights thinking about this whole story – the record deal and now the film. It’s so exciting.” The 50-year-old spent six weeks fitting three bathrooms at the home of Paul Conneally, owner of New Reality Records in Loughborough, last August.
Paul, 62, said he noticed his bathroom fitter had a "good voice" as he sang along to the radio and seized the opportunity to get him on board. Kev went on to release a 1980s-influenced album under the label – and this week signed contracts with Stacy Sherman Ray Productions LLC.
“We know the story won’t follow our life stories exactly but will be based on it and we can’t wait to see exactly what they do with it, added Paul. A script has been written by legendary British sitcom and film writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, who wrote hit comedies including The Likely Lads, Porridge and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.
“We grew up watching shows like Porridge and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet along with films like The Commitments, so it feels unreal to be now working with the creators of those and having Zoom calls with them in LA and to think it’s our story that they’re working on,” said Kev, who lives with wife Karen and their Cockapoo Harley.
The project is now at screenplay stage, with input from screenwriter Billy Ray, who wrote the 2019 sixth instalment of the Terminator series, Terminator: Dark Fate and also the Academy-Award nominated screenplay for the 2013 film Captain Phillips. Paul, who launched his record label during the first lockdown in 2020, said: “We don’t have a set date for the film’s release yet. We’re learning just how much work goes into the making of a feature film, especially one made in LA.”
When asked who might play the bathroom fitter and record company owner, Paul said: “I think actors like Simon Pegg and Nick Frost might work, not because they look like us but because liken Kev and I, they work well together and they’re English.”
“Other names suggested by various people we are working with include Jude Law, Colin Firth, Jason Statham and Ricky Gervais,” laughs Kev. “This is a story about the human spirit and music,” said Stacy. “What could be better? Sinks fixed, dreams dashed, heartache, hope and UK music. I mean...”
Paul added: “Never in a million years did I think this would happen when I first heard Kev singing. It’s been a sharp learning curve for us both but the team in LA are so supportive." Meanwhile, Kev, who is still fitting bathrooms around the East Midlands, has a new record out on April 1 and is currently working with LA producer Jesse Irwin and Paul on his next album.
