Latest news with #FMQ
Glasgow Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
River City star 'overwhelmed' as MSPs call for show to be saved
The actor plays Bob Adams – or Shellsuit Bob – in the Scottish soap, which the BBC has announced will end next year. He and fellow cast and crew from the show, which has been on air since 2002, visited the Scottish Parliament on Thursday to hear MSPs urge the broadcaster to think again. The cast of River City alongside MSPs during a photocall whilst at the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, Edinburgh (Image: Andrew Milligan) Afterwards, Purdon spoke of his 'pride' that the show had been debated at Holyrood as he thanked politicians for their support. Speaking to the PA news agency, Purdon said: 'Hearing the kind words from all the MSPs was overwhelming, and it is a testament to how important the show is.' He spoke about the show's role in developing talent on screen and behind the scenes, saying a training academy had helped develop the careers of producers, directors, screenwriters and others. 'I don't see anywhere else in the Scottish TV industry where we are going to get that,' he said. While he said he does not know if the debate at Holyrood will be enough to force the BBC into a rethink, he added: 'What needs to be imperative is that there needs to be a replacement for the training academy.' The cast of River City including actor Stephen Purdon (middle row, second left) watch FMQ's from the public gallery (Image: Andrew Milligan) A member's debate at Holyrood was led by Labour's culture spokesman Neil Bibby, who hailed River City – which is filmed in Dumbarton, outside Glasgow – as being an 'important part of Scotland's culture'. READ NEXT: Popular fireworks display axed for the next two years He said: 'It has provided fans with laughs, tears and memorable moments since 2002. It has been long-running and successful. 'The BBC has a great product here and they should be proud of it.' (Image: Andrew Milligan) He also stressed the programme's role in developing new talent, saying River City is 'not just an entertainment show, it is a pathway and a platform for young Scottish talent'. Mr Bibby demanded: 'The BBC should think again. Often we don't fully appreciate what we have lost until it is gone, but in terms of River City and Dumbarton studios, we have not lost them just yet, and hopefully we see a twist in this plot which means both survive into the future.' Over the years, the soap has featured the likes of Sam Heughan, who went on to star in Outlander, and Lorraine McIntosh from Deacon Blue, while Lorraine Kelly and singer Susan Boyle are among those who have made cameo appearances. Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said River City is an 'iconic part of Scotland's TV landscape'. (Image: Andrew Milligan) READ NEXT: Café 'disheartened' as woman 'stole items after asking to use toilet' Ms Baillie's constituency includes the Dumbarton set, which is home to the soap's fictional community of Shieldinch, and she said the programme had 'created opportunities for screenwriters, set designers, producers, film crews and others in the Scottish TV and film industry'. She added: 'In the last two years, 23 screenwriters got their first screen credit on River City, while over a similar period, five out of six trainee directors were women. 'This is a training pipeline for the creative industry, unlike anything anywhere else in the BBC.' Losing this would be a 'fundamental blow to Scotland's TV and film infrastructure', she insisted, telling the BBC: 'Flying in crews to occasionally film in a Scottish castle is no substitute for a homegrown industry.' Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said it is 'more than regrettable' that the BBC has decided to end the programme in the autumn of 2026. Mr Robertson said: 'I am deeply disappointed that we continue to see a worrying trend in decision making that runs counter to the BBC's commitment to invest in the nations. 'While editorial decision making of course sits with the BBC, it is right that we speak out and urge against decisions that impact on services, on skills development and on jobs in Scotland.' BBC Scotland has said the decision to axe the show reflects a change in viewing patterns as audiences move away from long-running programmes, instead opting for shorter series. However, the broadcaster has announced three new dramas to be filmed in Scotland, with a spokesperson adding: 'River City training opportunities will remain active for another year until we cease production in April 2026.'
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The SNP can't have it both ways. Some things are binary, actually
John Swinney, Scotland's First Minister, cannot have it both ways. In an interview this week he argued that he stands by the Equality Act and provision for single-sex spaces, even as his government is in court arguing that 'sex' in the Equality Act does not mean biological sex. Since the scandalous tale of Sandie Peggie and Dr Upton recently peaked the nation, the Scottish National Party (SNP) has performed a less-than-impressive reverse ferret. Earlier today, Swinney dodged questions at FMQ, which is both bizarre and deeply shameful. It was of course Nicola Sturgeon (supported by several other trans activists in both her own party and the Greens) who first claimed that introducing an amendment to the Gender Recognition Act to allow self-identification would neither conflict in any way with the rights of women and girls, nor compromise single-sex spaces and services. As the case of Isla Bryson soon showed, this was patently untrue. If only they had listened to Scottish feminist activists including J. K. Rowling, Joanna Cherry (MP at the time) and other brave and principled politicians, they would never have voted it through. It was, however, always going to be implemented as though it were law, despite the fact that it isn't. Stonewall law has been in operation across the UK ever since many institutions (including political parties, the NHS and even police and other criminal justice agencies) became totally enamoured of the idea that 'trans women are women' and followed the 'no debate' dictate. Feminist activists, representing women (who had most to lose) fought from the outset to convince Sturgeon and her acolytes that when men are allowed to claim to be women on a whim, women and girls are sacrificed to an ideology that is wholly harmful and completely offensive – not to mention unscientific. Swinney is a spineless hypocrite, and women will never forget. He (and others in the SNP) stood by and allowed gender ideologues to pave the way for women's reputations, jobs and safety to be put at risk while Sandie Peggie – and no doubt many other women too – were forced to kowtow to these men as they invaded their spaces and jeopardised their sense of security. Convicted male sex offenders were placed in women's prisons – and when we objected, we were branded bigots and 'transphobes'. Swinney could have apologised and admitted he was wrong; the fact that he has chosen not to will seal his fate. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
The SNP can't have it both ways. Some things are binary, actually
John Swinney, Scotland's First Minister, cannot have it both ways. In an interview this week he argued that he stands by the Equality Act and provision for single-sex spaces, even as his government is in court arguing that 'sex' in the Equality Act does not mean biological sex. Since the scandalous tale of Sandie Peggie and Dr Upton recently peaked the nation, the Scottish National Party (SNP) has performed a less-than-impressive reverse ferret. Earlier today, Swinney dodged questions at FMQ, which is both bizarre and deeply shameful. It was of course Nicola Sturgeon (supported by several other trans activists in both her own party and the Greens) who first claimed that introducing an amendment to the Gender Recognition Act to allow self-identification would neither conflict in any way with the rights of women and girls, nor compromise single-sex spaces and services. As the case of Isla Bryson soon showed, this was patently untrue. If only they had listened to Scottish feminist activists including J. K. Rowling, Joanna Cherry (MP at the time) and other brave and principled politicians, they would never have voted it through. It was, however, always going to be implemented as though it were law, despite the fact that it isn't. Stonewall law has been in operation across the UK ever since many institutions (including political parties, the NHS and even police and other criminal justice agencies) became totally enamoured of the idea that ' trans women are women ' and followed the 'no debate' dictate. Feminist activists, representing women (who had most to lose) fought from the outset to convince Sturgeon and her acolytes that when men are allowed to claim to be women on a whim, women and girls are sacrificed to an ideology that is wholly harmful and completely offensive – not to mention unscientific. Swinney is a spineless hypocrite, and women will never forget. He (and others in the SNP) stood by and allowed gender ideologues to pave the way for women's reputations, jobs and safety to be put at risk while Sandie Peggie – and no doubt many other women too – were forced to kowtow to these men as they invaded their spaces and jeopardised their sense of security. Convicted male sex offenders were placed in women's prisons – and when we objected, we were branded bigots and 'transphobes'. Swinney could have apologised and admitted he was wrong; the fact that he has chosen not to will seal his fate.
