Wirral actor creates a Ladies Day romcom short film – featuring a racing icon!

A Wirral actor has created his first short film, set against the backdrop of the Aintree Ladies Day and featuring a cameo by a TV racing icon.

Carl Loughlin wrote and produced LGBT comedy Kate Expectations, bringing together a great cast including former Emmerdale now Hollyoaks actor Matthew Wolfenden, Tina Malone and John May.

And for added authenticity, he managed to secure one of the Grand National’s most famous faces – sports commentator Clare Balding – to play a role.

Carl explained:

“I was just very cheeky and DMed her on Instagram. I said ‘hi, I’m making this LGBT short film, I need a commentator and I wanted to get you involved.’ 

“The following week she was coming to Liverpool to do a book signing event so she said she could record it when she was up here. She did it all free and was really accommodating. 

“Even though she only has a small part it is a really vital one, there’s a kissing scene and her voice is commentating over it, so that just added the extra little magic touch.”

Carl, who’s originally from Liverpool but now lives in Wirral, decided to use the Grand National as a setting for Kate Expectations because of its legendary status in the city and worldwide.

“This is the first short film I’ve written and produced and since I was little I remember Concorde flying over and the Grand National being such a big thing. I always used to pick a horse with my grandad and it was a bit of fun.

“I just thought it would be nice to have something Liverpool-based that wasn’t a crime drama, something more light-hearted, and the National popped into my head.”

Tina plays Carl’s mum Grace in the 14-minute film, and the storyline sees Grace and her son arrive at Aintree carrying the ashes of his late dad. 

His dying wish to go to the Grand National and get a photo with a supermodel but what starts out as a tribute soon descends into farce when the urn mysteriously disappears and the pair end up frantically searching through prosecco tents and crowds of punters.

“I fall in love with a waiter, played by Matthew, so there’s that happening as well and there are themes of loss and dealing with grief, especially when they think they’ve lost him for a second time.”

Along with Clare Balding, Carl enlisted another well-known face to take part in the shoot, playing ‘supermodel Kate’.

Denise Ohnona from Liverpool, who’s internationally known as the number one Kate Moss lookalike, is the “hunted” supermodel at the centre of the chaos.

With director Neil Alderton, whose credits feature Coronation Street, Emmerdale, EastEnders, and Hollyoaks, at the helm, Carl says he’s looking forward to taking Kate Expectations to film festivals.

“I’m hoping to do a screening for cast and crew over Grand National weekend, then I’ll be submitting it to festivals throughout the year including the prestigious Iris Prize which is the world’s largest LGBTQ+ short film prize,” he adds.

“It’s only a small short film but I just want to submit it to as many different places as I can and hopefully it gets the recognition.”

Find out more about Kate Expectations here.

Find out more about the incredible productions taking place across Liverpool here.

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