The world’s love affair with The Beatles continues, especially with multiple biopics in the works. Liverpool tour guide Dale Roberts tells us why celebrities still flock to the Fab Four’s hometown
It’s been over 60 years since four lads from Liverpool released their debut single and Beatles mania swept the world.
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr became one of the most influential bands of all time as The Beatles, dominating 1960s culture, and their popularity still shows no sign of waning.
Such is the popularity of the Fab Four, a multi-part biopic by Sam Mendes following the stories of all four members, which will hit theatres in 2028, has already caused a worldwide buzz before filming has even begun.
Paul Mescal, who will play Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr portrayer Barry Keoghan were spotted around the city last month as they began to get a feel for their characters’ hometown. But if Paul, Barry – and their co-stars Joseph Quinn (George Harrison) and Harris Dickinson (John Lennon) – really know how to prepare for their roles, they’ll be giving every celebrity’s favourite tour guide a call.
When Dale Roberts was born, the Beatles had already been split up for a couple of decades, but that hasn’t stopped the 35-year-old from Liverpool from becoming one of the band’s biggest fans and turning it into an impressive career.
As co-owner of George Harrison’s childhood home – now an immersive heritage Airbnb that Dale does tours from and of the house itself – to running his own company, Dale Liverpool Tours Ltd, delivering bespoke and VIP tours to clients such as Liverpool FC, Comic-Con, and international travel companies, it’s safe to say Dale is the man to know if you want to know about The Beatles.
Over the years, Dale has delivered tours to Hollywood actors, Grammy-winning musicians like Elvis Costello, WWE stars such as Mick Foley, politicians, influencers, and elite sports personalities.
“I’ve delivered tours for many famous people, and one of the craziest things is that they recommend me to others,” Dale tells us. “Ben Davis (Ant-Man, Red Dead Redemption) called me asking to do a tour for his friend — a top improv comedian who has worked with Steve Carell.
“Charisma Carpenter (The Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel legend) has been on multiple tours with me and was absolutely lovely. Last year, I had Steve Holley, drummer with Wings, talking to me all about his time with Paul McCartney — it was the same with Elvis Costello too!
“A proud moment was when Liverpool FC won the League Cup in 2024, and about five of the lads on the pitch had been on a tour with me a few months prior.”
Born and raised in Walton, Dale has turned his passion for The Beatles into a career and become one of Liverpool’s most prominent figures in the booming tourism industry.
In 2016, he was approached by Liverpool’s open-top bus company, Liverpool City Sights, to become Head of Marketing. The company was languishing near the bottom of TripAdvisor’s local rankings. Dale joined and helped design a Beatles-themed hop-on hop-off tour that shook up the city’s tour scene.
Dale formally began guiding in 2017 — accidentally, he claims — stepping in one day when the team was short-staffed, and instantly finding his calling. The tour he helped create went on to earn multiple accolades, including being named one of the Best in the World by TripAdvisor in 2022.
“It might sound crazy, but I believe the best tour in the world has to come from Liverpool,” Dale says. “It’s got such an incredible history, and our music changed the world. It’s also really accessible, you can see so much that changed the world in just a two hour drive, you couldn’t do that in any other major city.”
It’s handy for the cast of the upcoming Beatles movies that the city has such a wealth of tours and experts available. Much has been made of John, Paul, George and Ringo being played by actors not from Liverpool. Does Dale have any words of wisdom for the cast hoping to impress to people of Merseyside.
“If I could give the lads acting one bit of advice, it would be to spend real time in Liverpool — visiting the landmarks and walking the streets the Beatles did. There’s something about this city that shapes your attitude, your humour, you’ve got to feel it.
“The Beatles didn’t make Liverpool, Liverpool made the Beatles. If the actors take the time to understand that, they’ll be channeling something real on screen and we can be excited for it.”
And if Paul, Barry, Harrison and Joseph have any sense, they’ll be following in the footsteps of their celebrity peers and giving Dale a call to make sure they’re up to speed before the cameras start rolling.
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