Latest news with #OnlyAnExcuse
Scottish Sun
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I created Scottish football's most iconic TV show – but the life was sucked out of it before we had to scrap it
The show's creator hasn't held back in his criticism of the BBC 'YOU CAN'T DO THAT' 'YOU CAN'T DO THAT' I created Scottish football's most iconic TV show – but the life was sucked out of it before we had to scrap it "WHERE'S the burds?". "Mibbies aye, mibbies naw..." Just some of the few iconic lines from Scottish football's most famous TV show. Advertisement 4 Only An Excuse was a favourite fixture on TV screens each Hogmanay Credit: BBC 4 Philip Differ created the show with Jonathan Watson doing the acting 4 Watson's Frank McAvennie character became an icon Credit: BBC 4 But BBC bosses 'sucked the good out' of the show Credit: Getty Only An Excuse was a regular on our screens for much of the last three decades before its final episode aired in 2020. After debuting on radio in 1897, the programme became a telly favourite after airing on Hogmany in 1993. It would become something of a Scottish tradition to help welcome in the New Year, with its appeal going beyond just the ordinary football fan. The sketch show turned some of Scottish football's interesting characters figures into genuine household names - with Jonathan Watson's impersonations leaving punters in stitches. Advertisement His parodies of the likes of Sir Kenny Dalglish, Frank McAvennie, Chick Young and Sir Alex Ferguson are entrenched in the public memory. But as time went on, Watson and show creator Philip Differ felt the format had lost its magic. Not because either of them had ran out of jokes though. Indeed, far from it. Instead it was meddling TV bosses that RUINED the show. Advertisement That's how Differ feels five years on from the last episode. He has opened up on the decision to call time on the programme after growing increasingly frustrated with the input from BBC chiefs forcing them to tone things down or take certain jokes out altogether. So much so that for the last few episodes of Only An Excuse, Differ wouldn't even have aired them if it was up to him. Rodgers' message to Celtic board, striker woes & huge Champions League risk Speaking on the the Let Me Be Frank podcast, Differ said: "It wasn't enjoyable towards the end. Advertisement "Everything had to be vetted and given the go ahead by the BBC. "And if it was a wee bit edgy, you'd be told 'No you can't do that'. "I'll be honest, the last three or four Only an Excuses, it wasn't the show I wanted to put out." Differ then described the process by which the show would be made and how the interventions of the broadcast bigwigs led to a diluting of their comedy. Advertisement He said the show's creative team would go from finding the script hilarious to watching the final cut and feeling dejected. "We'd have a read-through, with Jonny and I and Rab Christie the producer at the Comedy Unit, and Noddie Davidson the director," Differ said. "The four of us would have a great time, we'd p*** ourselves laughing reading it, and at Jonny doing the voices, we'd sometimes get another actor in to help out and we'd come out feeling full of it. "But when it came to filming, all the good had been sucked out of it. Advertisement "'You can't do this, you can't do that, I don't think people will find that funny'. "Or, 'Do you know what would be good...?' and they'd suggest something that you had to keep in. "The year we decided we'd had enough, I spoke to Jonny and I told him there's no joy in it. And he was the same. "The characters weren't coming through either." Advertisement Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Football legend Frank McAvennie gets behind women's football team in shirt deal
Scottish football legend Frank McAvennie has turned his attention to the ladies once more, this time by sponsoring a women's football team. The former St Mirren, Celtic, West Ham and Scotland striker's podcast Let Me Be Frank has backed Hamilton Academical WFC with a season long shirt deal. Macca, who hosts the Let Me Be Frank podcast alongside journalist pal Simon Houston, said: 'Anything I can do to help the ladies. READ MORE: Mum dies after young son killed by drunk driver on way home from school READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers will conquer Real Madrid next as Groan Brigade erupt with furious anger at Celtic board – Hotline 'I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to support the Accies Women's team like this. "It's no secret that in the past I wasn't the biggest fan of women's football and didn't watch a lot of it, but fair's fair. I have become a convert and I have been massively impressed with some of the games I have watched.' The Accies Women's team are set to play in the top flight next season alongside other SWPL1 clubs after becoming SWPL2 Champions for 2024/25. Frank, 65, said: 'Hamilton did incredibly well last season and now they are back in the top flight and I'm thrilled that our logo will be on their shorts as they go for more glory. 'I knew some of the people who work for charities at Hamilton and have known the men's side for years. I've been going to see them for years. 'It gives the podcast a wee lift as well.' Frank, who was at New Douglas Park this week to meet some of the players and hand over a cheque for £1,000, made a name for himself as a top scorer in both the Scottish top flight and in England. His reputation for scoring stretched to the ladies, prompting comedian and TV producer to lampoon Frank in the television series Only An Excuse with the catchphrase, 'Where's ra burds?' Frank said: 'A lot of my mates are poking fun telling me that I was very much a fan of the ladies back in the day, so I'm expecting a bit of a ribbing. But I can take it. Some of Phil's sketches have been hilarious. It was all good fun. "But in all seriousness, I'm delighted at the massive increase in profile that the women's game has enjoyed, not just in Scotland but all over the world. "I've been watching a lot of the Euros which are on at the moment and it's just a pity the Scottish team didn't make it to Switzerland. Let's hope they can be back on the big stage soon.' Frank, who enjoyed top flight football in the 1980s and 1990s, added: 'It would be great to see some of the Hamilton team showcasing their talents on the world stage. "We will give our podcast followers regular updates on their scores as the new season progresses." Frank has also promised to cheer the Accies women's team from the stands when they play upcoming matches against Partick Thistle and Celtic. He said: 'Women's football has taken off and it has got to a stage where women's games are filling stadiums. 'You have got to be happy with the way they have got the leagues together and the clubs have bought into it. There are some decent players.' Hamilton Academical WFC manager Robert Watson added: "This is a magnificent boost for the team. "We are absolutely delighted to have the Let Me Be Frank podcast sponsoring our shorts for the upcoming season. "This will be one of the biggest seasons in the team's history after returning to the top flight of Scottish women's football. "We couldn't do what we do without the support of people like Frank. We are not full-time so every penny we receive is really important and extremely helpful." The Let Me Be Frank podcast regularly boasts top guests. Past shows have included chats with everybody from Rod Stewart to Ray Winstone. Frank said: 'The podcast is about letting people talk. Every time we have someone in we have a story that we haven't heard. It's great because normally I would ask a question then answer it, but Simon has taught me to keep quiet and let people speak for themselves and it has been a joy to talk to everybody from Scott Brown about his time at Celtic to Rod because you can't get much bigger than that.' Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Football legend Frank McAvennie gets behind women's football team in shirt deal
The former St Mirren, Celtic, West Ham and Scotland striker's podcast Let Me Be Frank has backed Hamilton Academical WFC with a season long shirt deal. Scottish football legend Frank McAvennie has turned his attention to the ladies once more, this time by sponsoring a women's football team. The former St Mirren, Celtic, West Ham and Scotland striker's podcast Let Me Be Frank has backed Hamilton Academical WFC with a season long shirt deal. Macca, who hosts the Let Me Be Frank podcast alongside journalist pal Simon Houston, said: 'Anything I can do to help the ladies. 'I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to support the Accies Women's team like this. "It's no secret that in the past I wasn't the biggest fan of women's football and didn't watch a lot of it, but fair's fair. I have become a convert and I have been massively impressed with some of the games I have watched.' The Accies Women's team are set to play in the top flight next season alongside other SWPL1 clubs after becoming SWPL2 Champions for 2024/25. Frank, 65, said: 'Hamilton did incredibly well last season and now they are back in the top flight and I'm thrilled that our logo will be on their shorts as they go for more glory. 'I knew some of the people who work for charities at Hamilton and have known the men's side for years. I've been going to see them for years. 'It gives the podcast a wee lift as well.' Frank, who was at New Douglas Park this week to meet some of the players and hand over a cheque for £1,000, made a name for himself as a top scorer in both the Scottish top flight and in England. His reputation for scoring stretched to the ladies, prompting comedian and TV producer to lampoon Frank in the television series Only An Excuse with the catchphrase, 'Where's ra burds?' Frank said: 'A lot of my mates are poking fun telling me that I was very much a fan of the ladies back in the day, so I'm expecting a bit of a ribbing. But I can take it. Some of Phil's sketches have been hilarious. It was all good fun. "But in all seriousness, I'm delighted at the massive increase in profile that the women's game has enjoyed, not just in Scotland but all over the world. "I've been watching a lot of the Euros which are on at the moment and it's just a pity the Scottish team didn't make it to Switzerland. Let's hope they can be back on the big stage soon.' Frank, who enjoyed top flight football in the 1980s and 1990s, added: 'It would be great to see some of the Hamilton team showcasing their talents on the world stage. "We will give our podcast followers regular updates on their scores as the new season progresses." Frank has also promised to cheer the Accies women's team from the stands when they play upcoming matches against Partick Thistle and Celtic. He said: 'Women's football has taken off and it has got to a stage where women's games are filling stadiums. 'You have got to be happy with the way they have got the leagues together and the clubs have bought into it. There are some decent players.' Hamilton Academical WFC manager Robert Watson added: "This is a magnificent boost for the team. "We are absolutely delighted to have the Let Me Be Frank podcast sponsoring our shorts for the upcoming season. "This will be one of the biggest seasons in the team's history after returning to the top flight of Scottish women's football. "We couldn't do what we do without the support of people like Frank. We are not full-time so every penny we receive is really important and extremely helpful." The Let Me Be Frank podcast regularly boasts top guests. Past shows have included chats with everybody from Rod Stewart to Ray Winstone. Frank said: 'The podcast is about letting people talk. Every time we have someone in we have a story that we haven't heard. It's great because normally I would ask a question then answer it, but Simon has taught me to keep quiet and let people speak for themselves and it has been a joy to talk to everybody from Scott Brown about his time at Celtic to Rod because you can't get much bigger than that.'
