Latest news with #JoeMcFadden
Glasgow Times
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Scottish TV legends call for major change in industry
This call for wholesale change was made at the conclusion of the first Glasgow Telly Festival. The four-day event was packed with innovative ideas for creating TV programmes, focusing on cooperation, action, and audience input. Glasgow audiences packed into the Telly Festival events (Image: Supplied) Read more: Ricky Gervais' comedy talent search coming to Glasgow with £5k prize The event brought together new and established talent from across Scotland to brainstorm, create, and showcase fresh TV pilots developed in under two weeks. The aim is to reignite interest in Scottish storytelling and push for a more cooperative, dynamic approach to TV production. At the final day of the event, a live reading of six TV pilots was hosted by Carol Smillie. The reading featured well-known actors such as Shauna MacDonald, Joe McFadden, Maureen Beattie, Robin Laing, Kim Allan, and Cal MacAninch. TV presenter Carol Smillie hosted the grand finale event of the festival (Image: Supplied) Joe McFadden and Shauna Macdonald performing at the festival (Image: Supplied) Audience members were given the chance to vote for their favourite pilot via the Studio Head app. Over the course of the weekend, 55 'One Minute Pilots' - short, creative pitches - were filmed by Glasgow's actors, writers, and directors and screened at venues throughout the city, highlighting the breadth of local talent. The festival kicked off with a lively panel discussion, chaired by STV's Laura Boyd, and featuring beloved Scottish TV figures including Colin McCredie, Sanjeev Kohli, Jane McCarry, and director Michael Hines, who shared their experiences and visions for the future of Scottish broadcasting. The full cast of writers, directors and actors who created and performed six new TV pilots live at the festival (Image: Supplied) Read more: River City did not pass value for money test, BBC Scotland boss tells MSPs Festival founder Claire Duffy, a Scottish author, producer, and screenwriter, said the event was both a celebration of local creativity and a rallying cry for change. She said: "We've had an incredible weekend enjoying the work of the wonderfully talented TV creatives we have in Glasgow and Scotland. "We've shown that a new way of doing things can exist – but most importantly, we've proven without a shadow of a doubt the incredible appetite that exists for Scottish stories and talent. "Audiences are waiting, we just need to take action and work together to produce the brilliant telly they deserve. "I'll be coming back down to earth for a while after such an amazing weekend and would like to thank everyone who has supported this first-ever Glasgow Telly Festival. "In many ways, the hard work starts here. "Scottish TV has been in crisis for a long while, but from crisis comes opportunity and it's time to grab that with both hands. "The Glasgow Telly Festival will only grow from here – as Carol Smillie said yesterday, the Hydro beckons!" Viewers can continue to watch and vote for pilots on the Studio Head website and catch up with the festival's events on the Handbag Studios website.
Press and Journal
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Who will go to the ball in Aberdeen? Top Scots actors joining panto favourite Alan McHugh at HMT
Two top Scottish actors will be spending the festive season on stage in Aberdeen. They headline the cast for this year's panto at His Majesty's Theatre (HMT), which has been announced today. The production of Cinderella will start on Saturday November 29, and runs until Sunday January 4. Joe McFadden, best known for playing Raf di Lucca in Holby City, will be stepping into the role of Prince Charming. As the 2017 winner of Strictly Come Dancing, audiences will expect to see McFadden don his dancing shoes – and burst into a song or two in true panto fashion. The actor, also known for his roles in Take the High Road and Heartbeat, will be joined by Dawn Steele. Steele is returning to Aberdeen, after a stint in the locally-filmed Granite Harbour, to portray Cinderella's Fairy Godmother. She is known for playing Lexie MacDonald in BBC's Monarch of the Glen and Dr Annie Jandhu in River City. Most recently, she was award-nominated for her role of Stella Quinn in the eighth series of Shetland. Once again, the HMT panto will be written and directed by Alan McHugh, who will also return as the much-loved dame. This year he will play Baroness Heifer McHardup, alongside HMT stalwart Paul J Corrigan as Buttons. Aberdeen actress Danielle Jam is also returning in the title role of Cinderella. Completing the cast are returning star Julie Coombe and acclaimed performer Helen Logan, who will team up as the wicked sisters. Audiences have been told to expect all the traditional Aberdeen panto ingredients – laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery and costumes and plenty of boos and hisses. Tickets for Cinderella can be booked now via the APA website, by calling 01224 641122 or at the box office.
