Shooting starts on biopic of local social media star James ‘Shinny’ Davenport

Shooting has started in Salford on a teaser for The Making Of An Addict, a biopic about former professional boxer, rugby league player, musician, and social media star James ‘Shinny’ Davenport.

The film follows his life from a youngster on the streets of Manchester to playing for Leeds Rhinos, becoming the undercard for Joe Calzaghe as a professional boxer, and being the lead singer of Salford band Hanky Park before struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.

Today, Shinny helps thousands of people come to terms with their own addictions through The Shinny Show and Shinny Show Live, his twice-weekly Facebook Live shows, and daily Instagram stories.

The film is being written and directed by award-winning director Chris Green, who has been in the business for more than 18 years since coming runner-up in the prestigious Northern Soul new writers competition.

His first feature film, Best Laid Plans, starred Maxine Peake and Stephen Graham. His latest film, Strangeways Here We Come, starred Michelle Keegan in her first film role as well as Bafta winners Lauren Socha and Chanel Cresswell.

Chris has also written for Channel 4 teen drama Hollyoaks.

“I’m privileged to work on this film with James,” said Chris. “He’s an inspiration to many across the globe thanks to his Facebook Live shows.

“He’s recognised daily for his ground-breaking work in helping people face their demons due to the frank and honest approach he takes to facing his own addiction. He’s also lived an incredible life and I’m hugely excited to be able to put that into film.”

“This movie is going to help break the stigma around addiction and recovery,” said Shinny.

“I want this film to help others face their demons and overcome their disease of addiction. It’s an illness that affects hundreds-of-thousands of people in the country.

“Through my social media channels, I’m helping people face their addictions each day and I hope this film will help others understand what it means to be an addict.”