Latest news with #GregorSharp
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Two Doors Down star Grado on shock about Christmas special
The comedy series was thought to have ended after the sudden death of creator Simon Carlyle in 2023, but it was announced last week that a one-off episode has been filmed for Christmas. Speaking to BBC Scotland News, Grado praised writer Gregor Sharp – who co-created the show with Carlyle – for 'totally nailing' the tone of the new script. (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Major twist revealed as Two Doors Down star shares update on show's future The Ayrshire native joined the cast of Two Doors Down in the show's third season and said returning to play the rather hapless Alan has been a joy. The episode has been penned by the show's co-creator Gregor Sharp, who co-wrote many previous episodes with Carlyle. (Image: Newsquest) He said: "We were told it'd never come back, then did a read-through of an old episode at the BBC comedy festival last year, and it was amazing. "From the audience reaction, we realised how big it was, after I think being a hidden gem for years. Then, randomly, the script arrived for a Christmas special. "I was like 'hmm' because Gregor Sharp is amazing and had co-created it with Simon, but it's a big thing to take on by yourself. "I read it and was like 'you've nailed it – it's got the sparkle, emotion, the tone." READ MORE: Two Doors Down star makes promise as she teams up with co-star for special show Grado added that he would happily return for further tales from Latimer Crescent, whether on screen or as part of a rumoured stage version. The Glasgow Times reported yesterday that Grado's co-star in the hit BBC show admitted that a live show is on the cards. READ MORE: All the latest news, interviews and updates on Two Doors Down (Image: Newsquest) Doon Mackichan, known for her role as neighbour Cathy, announced plans for a live show at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow next year. Speaking during a Smack the Pony reunion at the Edinburgh Fringe, the 63-year-old actress revealed that while the TV series may not continue beyond the festive special, fans can expect to see the cast live at Glasgow's OVO Hydro next year. She said: "We've just shot the Christmas special for Two Doors Down. "I don't think we're going to do any more, but it looks like we're going to do a live show next year at the Hydro, so that's very exciting."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Two Doors Down writer has 'nailed' Christmas special, says Grado
Wrestler and actor Grado has said the return of popular sitcom Two Doors Down surprised the show's stars as much as comedy series was thought to have ended after the sudden death of creator Simon Carlyle in 2023, but it was announced this week that a one-off episode has been filmed for - real name Graeme Stevely - told BBC Scotland News that writer Gregor Sharp "totally nailed" the tone of the series with the new Ayrshire native also said he will continue to grapple as well as act, ahead of a special appearance for All Elite Wrestling as the American promotion records its TV shows in Glasgow. Grado joined the cast of Two Doors Down in the show's third season and said returning to play the rather hapless Alan has been a joy. The episode has been penned by the show's co-creator Gregor Sharp, who co-wrote many previous episodes with said: "We were told it'd never come back, then did a read through of an old episode at the BBC comedy festival last year and it was amazing. "From the audience reaction we realised how big it was, after I think being a hidden gem for years. Then, randomly, the script arrived for a Christmas special. "I was like 'hmm' because Gregor Sharp is amazing and had co-created it with Simon, but it's a big thing to take on by yourself. I read it and was like 'you've nailed it – it's got the sparkle, emotion, the tone."He added he would happily sign up for more tales in Latimer Crescent, whether with more TV episodes or in a rumoured stage show at the OVO Hydro. Grado is already booked for a Hydro appearance on Wednesday, when he returns to the ring with AEW - the upstart promotion that has muscled in on industry leader World Wrestling Entertainment's company has held two shows at Wembley Stadium in 2023 and 2024, and is filming its main TV shows - Dynamite and Collision - in Scotland, before heading to London for a PPV event called Forbidden Door on previously appeared for the group at Wembley, and said he was thrilled to add a homegrown flavour to the company's Scottish debut."The fact they're bringing two of their weekly shows here is amazing," he says. "I made an appearance at Wembley and, although I've done plenty in wrestling over the years, that was superb. "The thing I'm raging about is that I never took it all in, so whatever I do on Wednesday I want to make sure I enjoy it." The grappler added he would love to work with a couple of the company's biggest stars - brash and arrogant villain MJF and popular high-flyer Will Grado admits that high-flying - where wrestlers use acrobatic moves to attack their opponents, sometimes by leaping from ropes - is not his area of added: "I'd love to wrestle Osperay. Wrestling's entertainment at the end of the day so you can mix different styles, though I'd probably be devastated for the people who'd paid money to see him, though…" Meeting Hulk Hogan Grado may not be backflipping from heights, but his mix of good-natured comedy and underdog spirit has led him to a lengthy career, both as a wrestler and as a media is a regular radio presenter and pops up in pantomime every winter, as well as being a father at home. He has another goal in mind for the future - trying acting that moves away from the laughs."I really want to do more serious acting," he said. "I did Crime [TV adaptation of the Irvine Welsh book] as a drug dealer type and it's such a challenge when you're usually doing comedy."Yet he sometimes can't help himself with the japes. Several years ago he was in Florida visiting wresting veteran Jeff Jarrett, which led to a meeting with Hulk Hogan - the controversial wrestling icon who shot to fame during the recalls: "We went to Hogan's wrestling shop. His manager Jimmy Hart was there, and he's like 'wanna meet the big man?' "Jeff said I was the Scottish version of him, and I don't know why I did it but I took my top off and started flexing like Hogan would do. "He was like 'oh, you've got the moves... ' It was on Facebook Live though, so about 20 minutes later one of the tabloids did a story and called me Bulk Hogan. That brought me down to Earth…"
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Beloved BBC sitcom is revived two years after its cancellation sparked outrage from devastated fans
A beloved BBC sitcom has been revived two years after its cancellation sparked outrage from devastated fans. Two Doors Down, which began with a one-off New Year's Eve episode in 2013 before becoming a full series in 2016, follows neighbours in a middle-class Glasgow suburb. The Scottish BAFTA-winning comedy, which ran to seven seasons, documents the lives of the Baird, White and O'Neal families on the quiet Latimer Crescent. Its co-creator Simon Carlyle, who worked with writing partner Gregor Sharp on it, sadly passed away in August 2023, aged 48. After this, the show ended, with lead actors Grado Stevely and Doon Mackichan saying no more episodes were expected and it was done 'for now'. But following fan upset at the show's conclusion, it has now been announced the programme will be making a surprise return for a Christmas special this year. The festive instalment will see Latimer Crescent's finest gather at long-suffering hosts Beth and Eric Baird's house (Arabella Weir and Alex Norton) for the big day. All our favourite faces will be back, including loud-mouth Christine (Elaine C Smith) and chronic one-uppers Cathy (Doon) and Colin Whyte. Also back are Beth and Eric's affable son Ian (Jamie Quinn) and his keen bean fiance Gordon (Kieran Hodgson). The last episode, which aired in December 2023, saw sweet Michelle (Joy McAvoy) and taciturn builder Alan (Grado) return to Glasgow after eloping in Las Vegas. The lovable couple will also be returning for the Christmas special, which will be the fourth festive instalment of Two Doors Down from over the years. The sitcom has a dedicated fan base, drawing in a whopping 1.3million viewers when it debuted on BBC Two in 2016. This ballooned to 2.8million by the time the final series aired in a primetime slot on BBC One. It has also received widespread critical acclaim, winning an RTS Scotland Award for Best Comedy in 2017 and 2024 and BAFTA Scotland Best Actress for Elaine in 2018 and Doon in 2024. Co-creator Gregor, who has sadly had to forge ahead alone to write the upcoming episode, said: 'It's really exciting to be revisiting Latimer Crescent with all the regular cast for this new episode. 'Christmas is a time for getting together with friends and family and then becoming low level irritated by them, so it feels like they're the perfect group to celebrate the season with.' BBC director of comedy Jon Petrie said: 'There's something comforting about having the neighbours round for Christmas, even if they bring minor chaos. 'Gregor and the gang bring the warm laughs, sly digs and brilliantly petty moments that make Two Doors Down such a cracking comedy. 'Expect it to sparkle on BBC iPlayer and BBC One faster than Cathy can pop a prosecco.' Josh Cole, head of comedy at BBC Studios Productions, and executive producer Steven Canny added they were excited to return to Beth and Eric's 'for another torturous Christmas'. Paying tribute to the late Simon, they added: 'Gregor and Simon created a brilliantly funny show that has an outstanding cast of memorable and loveable characters and we're hugely looking forward to seeing them torment each other again.' Actress Elaine, who plays Christine, has previously mentioned Simon's tragic passing when discussing the show returning. This ballooned to 2.8million by the time the final series aired in a primetime slot on BBC One 'I think we have to be really respectful to Gregor because that was like a marriage – they had been writing together for 20 years', she said. Gregor and Simon wrote more than 40 episodes of Two Doors Down together. Elaine continued: 'Gregor's grief will be huge as they were locked in an office together for six months of the year.' Simon previously said Beth was based on his own mother Dorothy and her son Ian was written based on his experience as a gay man growing up in Ayr. He told The Scottish Sun in 2019 Ian's treatment by his family on the programme reflects how many people behaved towards gay men in the eighties and nineties. 'You'd have parents who are accepting of it and don't want to throw you out the family but are equally not comfortable enough to ask about your boyfriend', he explained. 'We tried to reflect the truth of that middle ground, the same as we did with a normal Scottish street.' Despite the programme being about a suburb of Glasgow, it is actually filmed in the Silvertonhill area of Hamilton, a town around ten miles south of the city. Co-creator Gregor, who has written the upcoming festive special, said: 'It's really exciting to be revisiting Latimer Crescent with all the regular cast for this new episode' It comes after viewers were recently delighted to rediscover another iconic BBC sitcom. Alma's Not Normal, which debuted on BBC Two in April 2020, comes from the mind of actress and comedian Sophie Willan, who wrote, created and stars in the sitcom. It follows Sophie as Alma Nuthall, a working-class aspiring actress in her thirties from Bolton, Greater Manchester, reeling from a break-up, while working as an escort. The three-time BAFTA-winning programme covers a range of topics, from addiction, to loss, to the inadequacy of public services. It also draws on some of Sophie's own experiences as a care leaver, with Alma having spent time in care and left school with no qualifications. Its two series, available to watch on BBC iPlayer, also boast a star-studded lead cast, including comedian Jayde Adams and Grantchester actress Lorraine Asbourne. Jayde stars as Alma's best friend and confidant Leanne, while Lorraine plays her grandmother Joan, who raised her when her mother Lin was unable to. Downton Abbey's Siobhan Finneran plays Lin, whose heroin addiction and mental health issues left her with a fractious relationship with her daughter Alma. After the roaring success of the pilot in 2020, the full first series launched in September 2021, to widespread critical acclaim. It won Sophie the BAFTAs for Best Comedy Writer and Best Female Comedy Performance. A second series hit our screens in October last year, winning the BAFTA for Best Scripted Comedy. The programme has a lot of fans, who have taken to social media to encourage others to watch the show too. One said on Facebook: 'One of my favourites - so well written and acted beautifully.' Another commented: 'Watched all of this, highly recommend it. Best comedy since Only Fools. It's hilarious if in need of a good laugh.' Someone else chimed in: 'I sobbed and laughed at the same time... Nothing has ever done that to me before, brilliant.'
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Two Doors Down in surprise return with Christmas special
Scottish sitcom Two Doors Down is to make a surprise return to the BBC the end of the year with a Christmas special. It has been two years since the last series aired following the death of its creator Simon Carlyle in August award-winning comedy was first broadcast as a one-off in 2013, with seven series and three Christmas specials Gregor Sharp, who wrote the new episode, said it was "really exciting" to be returning to Latimer Crescent with all the regular cast. The Christmas episode sees the neighbours congregate at the house of Beth and Eric, played by Arabella Weir and Alex returning to the cast are Elaine C Smith, Doon Mackichan, Jonathan Watson, Graeme Stevely, Joy McAvoy, Jamie Quinn and Kieran Hodgson. BBC director of Comedy Jon Petrie adds: "There's something comforting about having the neighbours round for Christmas, even if they bring minor chaos."Gregor and the gang bring the warm laughs, sly digs and brilliantly petty moments that make Two Doors Down such a cracking comedy. "Expect it to sparkle on BBC iPlayer and BBC One faster than Cathy can pop a prosecco."Carlyle and Sharp originally wrote the show as a one-off special before it was commissioned in 2016. They went on to write more than 40 episodes together. The first series drew an audience of 1.3 million when it began on BBC Two in 2016. This grew to 2.8 million for the last series on BBC programme won an RTS Scotland Award for Best Comedy in 2017 and 2024, and Bafta Scotland Best Actress awards for Smith in 2018 and Mackichan in a 2019 interview with The Scottish Sun, Carlyle said Arabella Weir's character Beth was inspired by his own mum Dorothy, and that Beth's son Ian - played by Jamie Quinn - drew on his experience of coming out as gay while growing up in said Ian's character was treated like many gay men were in the 80s and 90s."You'd have parents who are accepting of it and don't want to throw you out the family, but are equally not comfortable enough to ask about your boyfriend," he said."We tried to reflect the truth of that middle ground, the same as we did with a normal Scottish street."
The Sun
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Two Doors Down's shock return confirmed as BBC reveal fresh details
TELLY bosses have confirmed that hit sitcom Two Doors Down is coming back for a Christmas special. The comedy favourite was shelved after the last series following the tragic death of co-creator Simon Carlye. 2 But The Scottish Sun exclusively revealed in March that the sitcom would be making a shock comeback to be screened over the festive period. Now the BBC has confirmed the residents of Latimer Crescent will be back on screens in December. The whole gang will congregate at Beth (Arabella Weir) and Eric's (Alex Norton) house to celebrate Christmas 2025. The neighbours are all back, including sweary Christine (Elaine C Smith), Cathy (Doon Mackichan) and Colin (Jonathan Watson). Meanwhile, Alan (played by Grado aka Graeme Stevely) and Michelle (Joy McAvoy), plus Beth and Eric's son Ian (Jamie Quinn) and his fiancé Gordon (Kieran Hodgson) complete the neighbourly group. Gregor Sharp, who has written the new special, says: 'It's really exciting to be revisiting Latimer Crescent with all the regular cast for this new episode. "Christmas is a time for getting together with friends and family and then becoming low level irritated by them so it feels like they're the perfect group to celebrate the season with.' Two Doors Down started as a one-off special in 2013. Created and written by Simon and Gregor, there have been seven series and three previous Christmas specials of the hugely popular show. BBC Director of Comedy Jon Petrie added: 'There's something comforting about having the neighbours round for Christmas, even if they bring minor chaos. Two Doors Down star in unearthed Kids Say Funniest Things clip on anniversary "Gregor and the gang bring the warm laughs, sly digs and brilliantly petty moments that make Two Doors Down such a cracking comedy. "Expect it to sparkle on BBC iPlayer and BBC One faster than Cathy can pop a prosecco.' And Josh Cole, Head of Comedy at BBC Studios Productions, and Steven Canny, Executive Producer, say: 'We're so pleased to be returning to Latimer Crescent and can't wait for the audience to be back in Beth and Eric's for another tortuous Christmas. "Gregor and Simon created a brilliantly funny show that has an outstanding cast of memorable and lovable characters and we're hugely looking forward to seeing them torment each other again.' Louise Thornton, BBC Scotland's Head of Commissioning, meanwhile said: 'I'm delighted to be working with our network comedy colleagues to bring Two Doors Down back to our screens for a festive special. "It holds a very special place in the heart of our audiences and we're looking forward to seeing what Christmas treats will be unwrapped with our friends at Latimer Crescent.'
