Grado shares hilarious plan to return to River City

Glasgow Times

3 days ago

The star, best known for his roles in Two Doors Down and Scot Squad, wants to reprise his role as Buster in the Scottish soap — with a dramatic storyline that would see him kill Shellsuit Bob, played by his real-life friend Stephen Purdon.
With River City set to be axed due to declining ratings after its final series next year, time is running out for the Two Doors Down favourite to make his comeback.
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Grado, whose real name is Graeme Stevely, told The Scottish Sun: 'My ideal storyline is for me to come back and kill Bob.
"I would choke him to death in the wrestling ring in Shieldinch Town Hall.
"Can you imagine? The ratings would be so good if that happened that they'd maybe keep it going.'
Grado originally appeared in River City in 2014 as Buster, a flamboyant wrestling character who left Shieldinch to chase his dreams in Las Vegas.
Although his stint on the show was brief, it sparked a lasting friendship with Purdon.
The pair are currently touring Scotland with their live comedy show Shellsuits and Spandex — a nostalgic look back at two decades of their careers.
Grado said: 'The shows are getting tighter every night. I've uncovered Bob's debut in River City and other acting jobs from over the years.
"He's uncovered videos of mine too — including my first episode of River City.
"We're telling stories about that, how it's ending, and I'm talking about Two Doors Down, Scot Squad, and wrestling.
"It's a review of the last 20 years, and there are a couple of embarrassing stories in there that are a bit close to the bone.
"We had a show in Kilmarnock and the lights came up and I noticed my wean's nursery teachers in the crowd — that was a bit awkward.
"These are the folk I bump into Monday to Friday, and the stories weren't exactly PG. But they absolutely loved it.'
The show also features a Q&A segment, which often leads to surprise guest appearances.
Grado added: 'We do Q&As with the fans and it's hilarious.
"There are a lot of mega River City and Two Doors Down fans.
"When somebody asks a question about Lenny Murdoch, Stephen FaceTimes him — and he's usually in his goonie.
"I do the same with Elaine C. Smith. Three times I've had to phone her and apologise — but she doesn't mind.'
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Though Grado once performed more than 150 wrestling shows a year, he has now stepped back from the sport, reserving appearances for special occasions.
He recently wrestled in Italy for the first time, and says he now appreciates tours that don't leave him in pain.
He explained: 'There are so many venues where I'm turning up saying, 'I'm sure I've wrestled here before.'
"Dunbar is the only place on this tour that I've never wrestled in before — so I'm glad to be going there.
"I don't even mind driving for hours because I don't have to take my bags and put the leotard on.
"It's the best feeling not having to stick on the baby oil, the lycra and the knee-high boots.
"These days, if I go to tie my boots, it takes me half an hour to pull myself back up.
"You've got to meet the guy you're wrestling and you never know what'll happen in a match — one dodgy move and you're not driving home, you're being stretchered out.'
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As River City approaches its final series, Grado's wife Steph — a devoted fan of the show — isn't convinced he'll get a second shot in Shieldinch.
The comedian joked: 'I told Steph that I'd love to go back — apparently Buster is still wrestling in Las Vegas.
"I said to her that River City has a year left to go, and asked if she thinks they might phone me and ask me to come back to Shieldinch.
"She's a proper River City diehard and doesn't miss an episode — and she said, 'Nah, of all the legends, why would they bring you back?'
"But I'll be ready if they want to bring Buster back.'