Grimefighters TV star Lew keeps streets clean

A Wolverhampton council worker who found fame after becoming an unexpected hit on TV has spoken about what life is like as a household name.

Lewis 'Lew' Carrington, aged 62, works for Wolverhampton City Council's Street Scene Team, and regularly appears on ITV1's Grimefighters, formerly Grimebusters.

The Albrighton-born TV favourite is married to Gillian. They have one daughter, Carly, 30. Mr Carrington moved to Wolverhampton aged 18 and joined the city council as a litter picker after signing up to an employment agency following a three-year illness. He was asked to apply for a permanent post 18 months ago, beating hundreds of others to the post.

"I thoroughly enjoy it, I love everything about the job" he said. "We have a checklist and as long as you do your job, they leave you alone. Loads of people stop and compliment us.

"They ask for autographs, we have a bit of a laugh. There is always someone who says "you're on TV", and I say 'You didn't realise I was this ugly'. I have also been mistaken for an actor."

Mr Carrington, of Wednesfield, first appeared on our screens last March, and can be seen clearing the streets of Wolverhampton on Grimefighters, dealing with everything from fly-tipping to so-called 'roadkill'.

"The council seems to like the show, it gives people an insight into what we do," he continued. "People now see what happens to roadkill - dead animals that we find - how we put them in a refrigerator. I think they thought we just dumped them in the back of the van, but it's all done so nicely."

Before life with the council, Mr Carrington says he has "done the rounds", having spent 12 years as a taxi driver and 15 years at BSL, now Brammer, in Wednesfield and Fordhouses. He had his first taste of TV when he helped to serve meals on to TV crews, including a team on Eastenders.

He was first filmed on the job when the makers of Grimefighters visited Wolverhampton to clear a drugs den out in Dunstall Hill, Whitmore Reans. He and a colleague were called in to get rid of some needles.

"A company based in the Cotswolds and London makes the show, after we helped them out they were soon coming back every week," he added. "They will keep doing the show as it's such a success."

Mr Carrington even has a fanclub dedicated to him on Facebook, which at the last count had a total of 151 members who all praise his much- loved sense of humour and distinct Black Country accent. Fans describe him as "funny, a Wolverhampton Council legend, and the new face of reality TV".

"I think it's just my accent that people like, and I say some silly things," he said. "I ignore the camera, I'm very outspoken, I get away with saying a lot of things. When my wife watches it, she says my accent is getting broader and asks if I put it on, but it's how I speak. I wasn't sure about doing the second series but the TV company told me people loved it. It used to be on after the 10 o'clock news, now we have a primetime slot."

Grimefighters is aired on ITV1 every Wednesday at 7.30pm