Latest news with #Shieldinch
Scottish Sun
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Grado reveals plans for sensational return to hit BBC show with hilarious best pal
The Scottish soap is being axed due to bad ratings after a final series next year COMEBACK KING Grado reveals plans for sensational return to hit BBC show with hilarious best pal Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GRADO has revealed he hopes to make a ruthless return to River City - by killing best pal and show stalwart Shellsuit Bob. The wrestler turned actor enjoyed a brief Shieldinch stint in 2014 when he joined the cast as a bonkers grappler named Buster. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Grado joined the cast of River City in 2015 Credit: BBC 4 Grado wants to kill off pal Stephen Purdon's Shellsuit Bob character. Credit: John Kirkby - The Sun Glasgow 4 The telly wrestler wants to floor his friend again Credit: BBC 4 Purdon has been part of the River City cast since the beginning With the Scottish soap being axed due to bad ratings after a final series next year, time is running out for the Two Doors Down favourite, 37, to make his comeback. But he's currently on a comedy tour with friend Stephen Purdon, 42 - who has played Bob since River City debuted in 2002 - and he's hatched a dramatic plan. Grado, real name Graeme Stevely, said: '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.' Buster was last seen heading for Las Vegas to pursue his professional wrestling dream. But while Grado's River City stint ended rather quickly, his friendship with Stephen has stayed strong. They barely knew one another when they met on set and have now spent years performing as one of Scotland's most popular panto duo's. The pair also host the hilarious Pint and Two Shots podcast alongside comedian Chris Toal. Grado and Stephen are also on tour right now - taking their Shellsuits and Spandex performance all over Scotland throughout June. Iconic Scots BBC show AXED after more than 20 years The grappler, best known as Alan in Two Doors Down and PC Hugh McKirdy in Scot Squad, 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 and my first episode of River City. 'We're telling stories about that and 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's 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 so that was a bit awkward. 'These are the folk I bump into Monday to Friday and these stories weren't exactly PG. They all absolutely loved it though.' Grado, who also hosts Go Radio's breakfast show every morning, added: 'We do Q&As with the fans and it's hilarious. 'There's a lot of mega River City and Two Doors Down fans. TWO DOORS DOWN DREAM WE revealed in March that Two Doors Down was set for a shock comeback. The popular BBC programme was shelved two years ago following the death of the sitcom's co-creator Simon Carlyle. But an insider confirmed a one-off special will be filmed this summer featuring all the cast and is set to be screened over the Christmas period. Fellow creator Gregor Sharp has been working on material to bring the neighbours of Latimer Crescent back together. A source said: 'Gregor always felt that the show was Simon's baby - they were his characters. That's why he said he could not continue. 'But Gregor has finally relented and said yes. It's great news because the show was just left hanging there for the viewers. 'Doing a one-off special, rather than writing a whole new series, takes the pressure off of Gregor. 'Hopefully if viewers are happy with the results that will encourage Gregor to continue. 'There really would be no better tribute to Simon than to continue with what he created.' Grado refused to be drawn on the speculation but admitted the series means a lot to him. He said: 'I think Two Doors Down is brilliant. I'd love for it to come back.' 'When somebody asks a question about Lenny Murdoch, Stephen FaceTime's him and he's usually in his goony. 'I do the same with Elaine C Smith. Three times I've had to phone her and apologise but she doesn't mind.' It wasn't that long ago that Grado was wrestling more than 150 shows a year. He's recently taken a step back from his first love and only wants to get back into the spandex when it's something special. He was part of an event in Italy last month - the first time he's wrestled in the country. Now he's glad to be on a tour that doesn't leave him in agony afterwards. He explained: 'There's so many venues where I'm turning up saying I'm sure I wrestled in 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 and lycra and 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 to meet the guy you're wrestling and you never know what will happen in a wrestling match, one dodgy move and you're not driving home, you're stretchered home.' Grado, who recently celebrated his second wedding anniversary with wife Steph, has also been enjoying feeling like a ladies' man on tour. The dad of two usually chats about football and wrestling which are typically viewed as more male dominated subjects. But River City and Two Doors Down must have a large female viewership - as there's been a record amount of women in attendance to see their pair. Grado said: 'I wouldn't say I'm the eye candy, but people still look at Bob as the wee pint sized cutie. Don't forget he's 42 now though. 'The majority of the crowds have been women and it's been great. 'People in Aberdeen went nuts for Bob. I always knew Aberdeen was a mega River City town because whenever I wrestled there - and I was only in eight episodes - the full crowd chanted Buster. 'Half of them had the hankies out asking what will happen to Bob with River City ending. 'It's funny because I'd never even met Stephen before I joined the cast of River City. 'He'd been on the show for 12 years when I went in and I didn't know how to take him. 'Now we're mates and having all this fun telling our stories.' But if Grado was hoping to have total support for his River City return dream, he might be out of luck. His own wife is a diehard fan of the show and doesn't know if he deserves a second shot on the soap - especially if he wants to kill off beloved Bob. The funnyman joked: 'I told Steph that I'd love to go back, that apparently Buster is currently 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.' Visit to buy tickets for Grado and Stephen Purdon's Shellsuits and Spandex
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Simone Lahbib joins the cast of BBC Scotland drama River City
Scots actress Simone Lahbib (Bad Girls, Wire in the Blood, Loch Ness) has joined the cast of BBC Scotland's drama, River City, as Vivienne 'Viv' Barton – part of the formidable Foulkes gangster family. Simone will make her River City debut at the end of June (June 23 on BBC iPlayer and June 25 on BBC Scotland) as part of the forthcoming new series. Business owner Viv arrives in Shieldinch in the hope of reconciling with her son Tyler (Cameron Fulton), after walking out on her marriage to Harry Foulkes (Jim Sturgeon) and her family over two decades ago. Her surprise arrival shocks family friend Eddie Corrigan (Rob Jarvis), who reveals to Viv he thought she was dead – a lie Harry spun for decades. Stunned, Viv will reveal the shocking truth behind her decision to abandon her family - but will Tyler forgive her and how will Harry feel to see his wife back from the dead? Simone is looking forward to the drama Viv will bring: 'Viv is a wonderfully complex character. She'll do and say anything she needs to survive but surviving isn't enough for Viv…she has plans. 'Viv is desperate to reconnect with her son Tyler, played by the super talented Cameron Fulton and all the while avoid her ex-husband, gangster Harry Foulkes who is played by the lovely Jim Sturgeon. Unfortunately, the way she will go about things turns what is already a delicate, emotionally charged situation into a series of traumatic events. 'She's like the proverbial cat among the pigeons, a bull in a china shop, a tornado, causing devastation to everything and everyone in her path.' For years, Viv stayed hidden but after reading about Tyler's accident at New Year and having read about her son Darren's death in the papers, a guilt-ridden Viv has vowed to make right all the wrongs of her past and be there for her only surviving son. However, Viv will need to face her estranged husband Harry, a ruthless, cold-blooded killer who won't be messed with. Martin McCardie, BBC Studios Executive Producer, says: 'Everyone is thrilled to have Simone on board at River City. Her character Viv Barton is wonderfully complex and will make quite an impact on arrival. She's a caring mum who desperately wants to make amends with her estranged son, Tyler but she also has her eye on the Foulkes family fortune and the power her ex-husband Harry has. Viv doesn't care who will be collateral damage in her pursuit of these things…including her son. We're sure audiences will be enthralled by Viv Barton and the chaos she brings with her.' Returning to Scotland is a perk of the job for Simone: 'Working in Scotland for me always feels like coming home. It's literally the most perfect location for me - I get to stay with my parents between filming, so I spend time with all my family and even have my mum to go through my lines with me - she gets very into her roles! 'River City has a truly wonderful cast and crew. There's a real family feel on set which comes from working with good people. Everyone has made me feel so welcome from day one.' Simone joins the cast alongside new arrivals including Michael Moreland (Six Four, Years & Years) as Dr Joseph Albert, James Young (Guilt) as Simon Mack and Graeme Dalling (Outlander, Only Child) as Kelly-Marie's (played by Carmen Pieraccini) husband Chris Black. River City returns for a new series on BBC iPlayer from Monday 16 June, BBC Scotland on Mondays and Wednesdays and BBC One Scotland on Tuesdays and Thursdays. River City is a BBC Studios Drama Production for BBC Scotland. The Executive Producers are Martin McCardie for BBC Studios Drama and Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland. Watch River City on BBC iPlayer JM2
Scottish Sun
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Star of iconic noughties show joins River City
THEY'RE set to shake up Shieldinch following the announcement that the series will be axed in 2026 after a 24 years run. Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER EastEnders star Simone Lahbib has joined the ranks of River City after a shock soap switch. The Scots actress, from Stirling, played villain carer Katy Lewis in Albert Square and left Walford four years ago. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 1 Simone Lahbib has joined the cast of River City. Credit: BBC Now the Bad Girls favourite, 60, is set to shake up Shieldinch following the announcement that the series will be axed in 2026 after a 24 years run. She joins the cast as Vivienne 'Viv' Barton – part of the formidable Foulkes gangster family - as she hopes to of reconcile with her son Tyler (Cameron Fulton), after walking out on her marriage to Harry Foulkes (Jim Sturgeon). Simone said: "Viv is desperate to reconnect with her son Tyler and all the while avoid her ex-husband, gangster Harry Foulkes "Unfortunately, the way she will go about things turns what is already a delicate, emotionally charged situation into a series of traumatic events. 'She's like the proverbial cat among the pigeons, a bull in a china shop, a tornado, causing devastation to everything and everyone in her path. "Viv is a wonderfully complex character. She'll do and say anything she needs to survive but surviving isn't enough for Viv…she has plans." Her surprise arrival shocks family friend Eddie Corrigan (Rob Jarvis), who reveals to Viv he thought she was dead – a lie Harry spun for decades. Stunned, Viv will reveal the shocking truth behind her decision to abandon her family - but will Tyler forgive her and how will Harry feel to see his wife back from the dead? She added: 'Working in Scotland for me always feels like coming home. "It's literally the most perfect location for me - I get to stay with my parents between filming, so I spend time with all my family and even have my mum to go through my lines with me - she gets very into her roles. Iconic Scots BBC show AXED after more than 20 years 'River City has a truly wonderful cast and crew. "There's a real family feel on set which comes from working with good people. "Everyone has made me feel so welcome from day one.' River City returns June 23 on iPlayer and June 25 on BBC Scotland
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Grado and Stephen Purdon bringing comedy tour to Airdrie Town Hall
The panto double-act will be tag-teaming up for the 'Grado & Purdon: Shellsuits & Spandex' show that is sure to leave audiences in stitches. Two of Scotland's favourite funnymen and familiar faces are heading to Airdrie Town Hall for an evening of laughter. Grado, the wrestler and star of TV's Two Doors Down and Scot Squad, and River City's Stephen Purdon, aka the BBC soap's Bob O'Hara, will take to the stage at the Stirling Street venue on June 10 as they hit the road for a hilarious tour across Scotland. The panto double-act will be tag-teaming up for the Grado & Purdon: Shellsuits & Spandex show that is sure to leave audiences in stitches. From Shieldinch to Latimer Crescent, the duo will share late tales from their careers in television, wrestling and panto, plus plenty of personal anecdotes. Boab and Grado promise "a night of laughter and fun that audiences won't forget", with a chance to meet the pair after the show. Grado & Purdon: Shellsuits & Spandex at Airdrie Town Hall starts at 7.30pm, with tickets priced £25 for standards and £39 for meet and greets. For tickets, and more information, call the box office team on 01698 274545 or visit here. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
