The Oscar-nominated screenwriter said the Ballet Rambert dance company had approached him with plans for a ballet based on the Shelby crime family. Steven also told guests he is planning three more series of the drama and is lobbying the BBC to film more of the show in his home city. The last series was the most popular installment of the BBC Two drama yet.

Steven, who is currently writing season five, said: “We are definitely doing [series] six and we will probably do seven. After series four it went mad. “We’ve talked to [lead actor] Cillian Murphy and he’s all for it, and the rest of the principal cast are in for it.”

He revealed talks over a dance version of the show, saying: “I had a meeting with Ballet Rambert who want to do Peaky Blinders – The Ballet. I’m saying ‘Why not?'”

Steven said he was keen to use the show’s success to promote Birmingham and wants more filming to take place in the city. Previous episodes have been filmed elsewhere, with the Black Country Living Museum one of the only locations close to Birmingham.

“I’m trying to get series five shot here and trying to get as many Birmingham actors as I can in,” he said. “It’s always bothered me that Birmingham didn’t have that profile. It’s a big city and it wasn’t shouting about it. I’m sort of an evangelist for the city, so that was part of wanting to do it.”

At the lunch, held at Opus Restaurant, Birmingham, and sponsored by Digbeth Dining Club, Steven was also installed as an Honorary Life Member of Birmingham Press Club – the oldest of its kind in the world – and received the traditional gift of an Acme Whistles-made bugle from Bob Warman, the press club’s president (front picture).