History was made last night as the multi-award winning writer Jimmy McGovern received the Freedom of Liverpool.
It was the first time at a freedom ceremony that the representatives of the city were all women – Mayor Joanne Anderson, Lord Mayor Cllr Mary Rasmussen and Interim Director for Neighbourhoods Claire McColgan.
Jimmy, whose nomination was ratified by full council last December, was praised for his contributions to the city’s film and TV industry and for championing social justice in his writings over the past 40 years.
His TV, stage and film credits include Brooskide, Cracker, The Dockers, Priest, The Lakes, Accused, King Cotton, Moving On, The Street, Anthony and, most recently, Time.
His landmark 1996 docu-drama Hillsborough, about the 1989 football tragedy in which 97 Liverpool FC fans were unlawfully killed, has been cited as a key moment in the campaign for truth for the bereaved families and survivors.
Jimmy, whose family and friends were in attendance to witness the ceremony at Liverpool Town Hall, also received tributes from across the world of entertainment, football and media, led by Liverpool FC legend Sir Kenny Dalglish and actor Stephen Graham. Robbie Coltrane sent a special note of thanks, read out by the Mayor, for creating “Fitz” in Cracker.
You can watch the tributes here:
