Kev Crane: Singing plumber in talks with Hollywood film producers

Hunger Games and Terminator: Dark Fate writer Billy Ray (left) was told of Kev's story by his film producer wife

A plumber who went on to land a Hollywood deal after being overheard singing while fitting a bathroom has returned from meeting movie executives.

Kev Crane, from Leicestershire, first secured a music deal after the chance encounter with a record label owner.

The 51-year-old then sold the rights for a film about his life after his story was spotted by film producers in the United States.

Mr Crane joked that he wanted George Clooney to play him in the film.

Kev appeared on KTLA News during his trip to meet film executives in Hollywood

The plumber, from Quorn, who was fitting a set of bathrooms while belting out a song, was overheard by the client. The client happened to run a record label.

They began chatting and Mr Crane told him he built a music studio during lockdown in order to finish an album he once started 25 years ago.

Paul Conneally, 63, owner of New Reality Records in Loughborough, signed up the plumber after noticing his "good voice" as he sang along to the radio at his home in 2021.

His chance encounter was picked up by the press across the pond in the United States. One person who read Mr Crane's story was film producer Stacy Sherman, the wife of Hunger Games and Terminator: Dark Fate writer Billy Ray.

Film producer Stacy Sherman (right) spotted Kev's story in an article

Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester, Mr Crane's wife Karen said: "I hadn't heard much of his signing to be honest, it was only during lockdown that he began to ignite his passion and that's what the movie is about - second chances."

On hearing about the Hollywood film deal she said she thought it was a "scam" until they met with Ms Sherman and Mr Ray in Beverley Hills.

The script is being finished and has been passed on to a film agency where directors will read it over.

It has been written by British sitcom and film writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, Mr Crane said.

The duo were responsible for classic comedies including The Likely Lads and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.

Kev Crane said Hollywood producers became aware of his story after publicity in 2021

Speaking of the trip itself, the plumber said: "There were moments while we were out there I kept thinking to myself, is this really happening?

"We got invited to the house of co-CEO of Netflix for a gala, we met Esai Morales from Mission Impossible... it was mad."

The plumber was also on breakfast television in Los Angles during the trip.

'Lots of names'

Mr Crane said he would like George Clooney to play him.

"I wouldn't say no to that," he said. "We put our own thoughts out there but we won't have much say [on casting]... but there are lots of names being banded around so we will trust them with that."

On his plumbing work, Mr Crane said he would be working until the end of the year before "knocking it on the head" as he prepares for his music tour which starts in March.

Kev said he had built his own music studio during lockdown