Ealing Studios is planning a feature film about the story of Fisherman’s Friends, a group of Cornish sea shanty singers making it big on the pop charts.

Ealing Studios is planning a feature film about the story of unlikely UK hit music group Fisherman’s Friends.

This news comes as Fisherman’s Friends album comes into the UK album chart at number 7 this week.

The Friends are from Port Isaac, a small fishing village in Cornwall, and are all former fishermen, coastguards or lifeboat men. They were signed to a lucrative record deal with Universal after a producer saw them singing in a pub, and their album of sea shanties has landed them a slot at the Glastonbury Festival this summer.

“The moment I heard the story of the band and listened to the songs, I knew this could be a great film,” said Ealing Studios head Barnaby Thompson.

Nick Moorcroft and Piers Ashworth, who have worked with Ealing on the St Trinian’s films and Burke and Hare, will write the script.

Moorcroft said: “Their story has all the ingredients you look for as a writer. It is a heartwarming comedy about friendship, loyalty and community.”

The film’s working title is No Hopers, Jokers And Rogues (after the group’s new single due out in May). Ealing is hoping the film will be in theatres in 2011.

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