Lee Hall (writer of book and lyrics):

It goes right back to 1985 just after the miners’ strike had ended. Around this time I spoke to many people about growing up in Newcastle upon Tyne and I realised how different my childhood and expectations were to many other people. It was unusual and unique. Some time after, I was in North Carolina and I saw a little boy running down a back street in a tutu and I though how weird. About a year ago I found the piece of paper where I wrote down all my initial thoughts and ideas after seeing this boy and everything noted is in the film.

Jon Finn (producer):

The film was made for very little money and there were no huge expectations. We made it because we all believed in it.