The TV stars come out for Flakefleet School's nativity

A Fleetwood school's 'think big' mantra has led to its nativity featuring a host of household-name TV stars.
David Walliams during a visit to Flakefleet SchoolDavid Walliams during a visit to Flakefleet School
David Walliams during a visit to Flakefleet School

Flakefleet Primary School, whose choir reached the final of Britain's Got Talent last year, will have David Walliams as the narrator for their latest festive production.

And BGT judge Walliams, who has become a friend of the school since he put them through to the semi-finals as a golden buzzer act, is not the only well known face involved.

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Head teacher Dave McPartlin cheekily invited Amanda Holden, Piers Morgan, Gaby Roslin, Philip Schofield and Holly Willoghby to contribute - and they all agreed.

Some of the cast of Flakefleet's latest nativitySome of the cast of Flakefleet's latest nativity
Some of the cast of Flakefleet's latest nativity

Mr McPartlin says he is keen to encourage pupils to use their initiative and he says the star-studded festive show, which will be live-screened on the school's Facebook site on Monday, is all part of that 'can do' philosophy.

This time the school, on Northfleet Avenue, has come up with an original, aptly-themed festive production to add some well-needed cheer after a tough year.

The popular head teacher said: "We try to teach the kids to be resourceful and think big, to even be a bit cheeky but always in a polite way.

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"After we decided to write the nativity, we wondered of we could get David Walliams to narrate it.

"We felt incredibly fortunate last year when David pressed the golden buzzer and every time we have asked him for a favour since, he has always said yes, although we only do that very sparingly.

"So i sent him an email and by a stroke of luck, he just happened to be in the studio recording his latest book and he agreed.

"We were gob smacked, to be honest, despite everything we still didn't expect it - he sent us a 20 minute video which was amazing."

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Although the comedy star has retained links with the school and even visited it by helicopter last year, he played no part in getting the other stars onboard.

Mr McPartlin said: "We don't have a big list of contacts or expect David to tap people up for us - we were just resourceful and tracked them down on Twitter and send them a script. Incredibly, they agreed and sent us in their videos too."

The fun has made up for the disappointment of Flakefleet not being able to appear in the 2020 BGT special because of Covid.

The school, which once videoed its own 'Royal wedding', has certainly been in the spotlight since they sang Take That's Rule the World in the BGT final, but the head says there are serious aims behind the high profile fun.

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He said: "The school is about making memories - happy children make better learners.

"They may not all be brilliant at reading or writing but if we can help them discover that they are brilliant singers, actors or lots of other things, then it has all been worthwhile."

All the star videos will be screened as part of the nativity performance, which will also includes three socially-distanced wise men dressed as Elvis and Mary riding on a Blackpool donkey,

Flakefleet has also released a virus-themed Christmas single, 12 Days of Covid, and all proceeds from its sales will go to NHS charities.

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