It was a dramatic entrance from Bank of Dave star Dave Fishwick as he rocked up to the star-studded red carpet world premiere of the new musical based on his life story at Salford’s Lowry Theatre. For Dave arranged to arrive in one of his famed minibuses, filled with a full on brass band, to herald his arrival at the gala opening night of Bank of Dave – the musical.

Dave, with his wife Nicky, was greeted with a hero’s welcome outside the Lowry on Thursday night, as fans and friends whooped and cheered his arrival. Then inside he was joined by a host of famous faces on the red carpet all heading along to catch the big new show.

That included a host of Coronation Street stars past and present, who were cheering on their former co-star Hayley Tamaddon in her role in the musical playing Dave’s wife Nicky.

Current Corrie cast in attendance included Clare Sweeney wearing a dusty pink suit, alongside her co-stars including Jodie Prenger, Mollie Gallagher, Catherine Tyldesley and Kate Robbins. Guests got to play it for laughs with a giant Bank of Dave banknote for photos on the red carpet too.

Meanwhile the soap’s James Cartwright was all smiles as he headed for a night of laughs at the theatre following the dramatic scenes he’s been involved in on the soap as baddie Theo Silverton who has just met a grisly end. The murder whodunnit on the cobbles is set to run for weeks, although James was remaining tightlipped about any of those soap secrets on the night.

Also heading along to the musical were former Corrie stars Tupele Dorgu and Will Mellor, as well as CBeebies favourite Evie Pickerell, Bargain Hunt’s Danny Sebastian and TV favourite Dr Ranj Singh.

The production won high praise and a standing ovation on the opening night, before Dave himself took to the stage at the curtain call to thank audiences for their support of his story so far.