ACTOR John Simm has been nominated for a BAFTA for his role in the television drama Exile, which was largely shot in Bolton.

Simm has been nominated in the leading actor category, and will be battling it out against Benedict Cumberbatch, for Sherlock; Dominic West, for Appropriate Adult; and Joseph Gilgun, for This is England ’88.

Filming for the three-part series, which also starred Jim Broadbent, took place in December 2010 at several locations in Bolton.

The series was a psychological thriller that told the story of journalist Tom, played by Simm, who returns to his home town to be reacquainted with his father, Broadbent, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s.

It was aired on BBC One.

Scenes outside the fictional newspaper, the Lancashire Evening News, were shot in Churchgate, at the former Saks hairdressers, next to The Bolton News office.

The crew later moved up to the Bowling Green pub, in Eskrick Street, Halliwell. Other scenes were shot at the town hall, including in the mayor’s parlour and the hall of remembrance.

In January last year, further filming took place on the town hall steps.

The winners will be announced on Sunday, May 27, at the South Bank Centre, in London.