THE brains behind the Black Country Festival recently appeared live on popular BBC programme ‘The One Show’ to promote the region as part of a ‘Peaky Blinders’ special.

James Stevens, Steve Edwards and David Brownhill visited Broadcasting House to film a recent episode of the magazine show.

Steve, chairman of the Black Country Festival committee, and James, well-known for being part of local band The Empty Can, tested Peaky Blinders actress Helen McCrory and singer Michael Ball on their knowledge of Black Country phrases.

David said: “We have been in contact with the BBC and The One Show over the last couple of years regarding the Black Country festival, so it was great to be invited down to talk about it and promote the Black Country to over four million people.

“James and Steve are great at getting people interested because they are normal Black Country blokes who are proud of our region.”

James said: “It was all good fun and we had a great time. My word was 'gambol', which to us Black Country folk is a forward roll.

“Steven used the word 'blartin' which is the Black Country term for crying. We both got a good laugh out of the audience and the celebrities which was great.”

Steve added: “As we knew it was a Peaky Blinders special we arranged with Sadlers Brewery in Lye for us to take their famous Peaky Blinders Ale to share with the cast and crew.

“We also took Black Country flags and Black Country translations t-shirts from the Black Country T-Shirts shop so we could teach Alex Jones and the Londoners how to 'spake proper'.”

While hobnobbing backstage, the trio even got to hang out with Travis, who performed their new single live on the show.

James made sure to give them a couple of his own band’s album, and he also performed the Black Country Anthem for the crowd.

But with this year’s Black Country Festival only two months away, going onto the show was the ideal platform for the gang to start its promotion.

Steve said: “The Black Country Festival kicks off in July and we are working flat out with event organisers, community groups and the four Black Country councils to makes sure The Black Country Festival is bigger and better than last year.

“Last years was amazing so it will be a difficult task, but we are sure we can do it.”