Latest news with #Purdon
NZ Herald
22-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Chase A Dream rollercoaster hits another low with battling trial
'I will sleep on it tonight after having a chat with Chris [Ryder, co-owner] and see what he thinks. 'If he was only going to Queensland for the Inter Dominion, that trial wouldn't be good enough to send him. 'But he has an invite to the Rising Sun on July 5 and it might not be anywhere as strong. 'So we will decide tomorrow [Wednesday].' It is extremely rare for a Purdon-trained runner to be as erratic as Chase A Dream has proven this season. On his best nights, he has won the Waikato Flying Mile and finished second to Leap To Fame in the $1 million Race by Betcha but in stark contrast his other five starts this season have produced a seventh, eighth, two ninth placings and a 10th. 'We have had him checked out for everything physical, we have done chiropractic work on him and we really can't find anything else wrong. 'So it is a very tricky one.' Purdon says Rubira will definitely still head to Brisbane via Sydney on Sunday to compete in the best 3-year-old races at the winter carnival while stablemate Oscar Bonavena will be on the same flight to target the A$500,000 ($544,000) Inter Dominion Trotting Final on July 19. Purdon was pleased with Akuta's first public appearance since December 2023 in Tuesday's trial but the muscular son of Bettors Delight will now head to the paddock as part of a in-and-out rehabilitation from a tendon issue. 'The vets seem to think that is the best way to handle those sort of issues these says, bring them up to near full speed then ease off them and do it again,' explains Purdon. 'He seems good at this stage so he can have another break now and hopefully come back for the second half of the season.'
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.'
STV News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
River City star 'overwhelmed' as Holyrood debates soap's future
River City star Stephen Purdon has said it was 'overwhelming' to hear MSPs call on BBC bosses to save the long-running show. The actor plays Bob Adams – or Shellsuit Bob – in the Scottish soap, which the BBC has announced will be ended 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. 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 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 career of producers, directors, screen writers 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 there needs to be a replacement for the training academy.' 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'. 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.' 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'. 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 screen writers, set designers, producers, film crews and others in the Scottish TV and film industry'. She added: 'In the last two years 23 screen writers 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 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.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
South Wales Guardian
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
River City star ‘overwhelmed' as Holyrood debates soap's future
The actor plays Bob Adams – or Shellsuit Bob – in the Scottish soap, which the BBC has announced will be ended 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. 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 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 career of producers, directors, screen writers 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 there needs to be a replacement for the training academy.' 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'. 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.' 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'. 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 screen writers, set designers, producers, film crews and others in the Scottish TV and film industry'. She added: 'In the last two years 23 screen writers 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 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.'
The National
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
River City's Stephen Purdon 'overwhelmed' after Holyrood debate
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. Afterwards, Purdon spoke of his 'pride' that the show had been debated at Holyrood as he thanked politicians for their support. READ MORE: BBC Scotland accused of 'snobbery and classism' over River City axing Speaking to the PA news agency, Purdon said: 'Hearing the kind words from all the MSPs was overwhelming, and it is testament to how important the show is.' (Image: Andrew Milligan) He spoke about the show's role in developing talent on screen and behind the scenes, saying a training academy had helped develop the career of producers, directors, screen writers 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 there needs to be a replacement for the training academy.' 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'. 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.' 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'. (Image: Equity/PA Wire) 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. Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said it is 'more than regrettable' that the BBC has decided to end the programme in the autumn of 2026. 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.'
