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Edinburgh Live
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
River City stars hold Edinburgh protest in bid to save much-loved soap
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The cast of River City held a protest at Edinburgh's Holyrood on Wednesday, April 23, in a bid to save the beloved Scottish soap. Stars demonstrated outside the Scottish Parliament in an attempt to stop the decision to close down the drama which has been running for over 20 years, reports the Daily Record. Stephen Purdon - who plays Shellsuit Bob in the series - said: 'We are attending the Scottish Parliament because we care deeply about the production and all the people who work on it. Training, pathways, and opportunities will be lost for many people. "Seventy-two trainees have come through River City in the last two and a half years. How will that be replaced? "And most of all, for our audience, people who love the show, what about them? That's why we must be there, to ask BBC Scotland to reverse this decision before it's too late.' The iconic Glasgow-based drama - which is filmed in Dumbarton - has been on our screens since 2002 but BBC Scotland announced last month that Scotland's only domestic soap will air its final episode in September 2026. The cast attended a debate in the Scottish Parliament on a Labour motion calling for the programme to be saved. SNP, Labour, Tory and Green MSPs all joined forces in calling for the BBC to reverse its decision. Elena Whitham, of the SNP, said: 'Cancelling this show risks creating a cultural vacuum, and an economic one too. "We talk about levelling up, about decentralising opportunity, but how can we do that if we're cutting off the very platforms that nurture regional talent… This also smacks of snobbery and classism, and we must call that out.' Scottish Labour Deputy Leader - who represents Dumbarton where the soap is filmed - Jackie Baillie said: 'River City has put Dumbarton on the map for TV and film talent while creating jobs and opportunities in everything from catering to directing. "The announcement of its closure has sent shockwaves through my constituency — I urge the BBC to save River City, and commit to its Dumbarton studio site so that more shows can be Made in Scotland not less." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: 'There is clearly an abundance of passion and support for River City and the opportunities that this kind of production brings to our creative sector. "I've been clear to the BBC that they must protect and increase its investment in Scotland, and enhance the network of professionals who contribute to its productions like River City. "I expect the BBC to fully and fairly represent all communities in Scotland, and I'll continue to advocate on behalf of License Fee payers to ensure that the Scottish industry and audiences are properly represented.' When it was announced that the soap was ending BBC Scotland bosses said that "viewing habits have changed" and they will be investing in the "next generation of high-impact drama series from across Scotland". Reflecting a significant change in audience behaviour away from long-running series and towards shorter runs, the BBC will make a considerable boost in major drama productions set across Scotland. This means moving the River City investment and starting three new series – Counsels, Grams and The Young Team.
Edinburgh Live
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh protest sees actors gather at Holyrood to save 'beloved' TV soap
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A protest in Edinburgh on Wednesday saw the cast of River City gather at Holyrood in a bid to save their show. Actors were at the Scottish Parliament pushing against the decision to shut down the drama, which has been running for more than 20 years. The cast were met with some agreement from MSPS, with one saying the cancellation of the show risks creating a 'cultural vacuum', reports the Daily Record. Stephen Purdon - who plays Shellsuit Bob in the series - said: "We are attending the Scottish Parliament because we care deeply about the production and all the people who work on it. Training, pathways, and opportunities will be lost for many people. "Seventy-two trainees have come through River City in the last two and a half years. How will that be replaced? "And most of all, for our audience, people who love the show, what about them? That's why we must be there, to ask BBC Scotland to reverse this decision before it's too late." The iconic Glasgow-based drama - which is filmed in Dumbarton - has entertained audiences since 2002. But BBC Scotland announced last month that Scotland's only domestic soap will end in September 2026. The cast attended a debate in the Scottish Parliament on a Labour motion calling for the programme to be saved. SNP, Labour, Tory and Green MSPs all joined forces in calling for the BBC to reverse its decision. The SNP's Elena Whitham said: "Cancelling this show risks creating a cultural vacuum, and an economic one too. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "We talk about levelling up, about decentralising opportunity, but how can we do that if we're cutting off the very platforms that nurture regional talent... This also smacks of snobbery and classism, and we must call that out." Scottish Labour Deputy Leader - who represents Dumbarton where the soap is filmed - Jackie Baillie said: "River City has put Dumbarton on the map for TV and film talent while creating jobs and opportunities in everything from catering to directing. "The announcement of its closure has sent shockwaves through my constituency -- I urge the BBC to save River City, and commit to its Dumbarton studio site so that more shows can be Made in Scotland not less." Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: "There is clearly an abundance of passion and support for River City and the opportunities that this kind of production brings to our creative sector. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. "I've been clear to the BBC that they must protect and increase its investment in Scotland, and enhance the network of professionals who contribute to its productions like River City. I expect the BBC to fully and fairly represent all communities in Scotland, and I'll continue to advocate on behalf of License Fee payers to ensure that the Scottish industry and audiences are properly represented." When it was announced that the soap was ending BBC Scotland bosses said that "viewing habits have changed" and they will be investing in the "next generation of high-impact drama series from across Scotland". Reflecting a significant change in audience behaviour away from long-running series and towards shorter runs, the BBC will make a considerable boost in major drama productions set across Scotland. This means moving the River City investment and starting with three new series - Counsels, Grams and The Young Team.
Daily Record
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
River City actors protest at Holyrood in bid to save much-loved soap
The River City cast protested at Holyrood on Wednesday in a bid to save the much loved soap. Actors from the drama turned up to the Scottish Parliament to convince its decision to close down the drama after more than 20 years. Stephen Purdon - who plays Shellsuit Bob in the series - said: 'We are attending the Scottish Parliament because we care deeply about the production and all the people who work on it. Training, pathways, and opportunities will be lost for many people. "Seventy-two trainees have come through River City in the last two and a half years. How will that be replaced? "And most of all, for our audience, people who love the show , what about them? That's why we must be there, to ask BBC Scotland to reverse this decision before it's too late.' The iconic Glasgow-based drama - which is filmed in Dumbarton - has entertained audiences since 2002. But BBC Scotland announced last month that Scotland's only domestic soap will end in September 2016. The cast attended a debate in the Scottish Parliament on a Labour motion calling for the programme to be saved. SNP, Labour, Tory and Green MSPs all joined forces in calling for the BBC to reverse its decision. The SNP's Elena Whitham said: 'Cancelling this show risks creating a cultural vacuum, and an economic one too. "We talk about levelling up, about decentralising opportunity, but how can we do that if we're cutting off the very platforms that nurture regional talent… This also smacks of snobbery and classism, and we must call that out.' Scottish Labour Deputy Leader - who represents Dumbarton where the soap is filmed - Jackie Baillie said: ' River City has put Dumbarton on the map for TV and film talent while creating jobs and opportunities in everything from catering to directing. "The announcement of its closure has sent shockwaves through my constituency — I urge the BBC to save River City, and commit to its Dumbarton studio site so that more shows can be Made in Scotland not less." Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: 'There is clearly an abundance of passion and support for River City and the opportunities that this kind of production brings to our creative sector. "I've been clear to the BBC that they must protect and increase its investment in Scotland, and enhance the network of professionals who contribute to its productions like River City . "I expect the BBC to fully and fairly represent all communities in Scotland, and I'll continue to advocate on behalf of License Fee payers to ensure that the Scottish industry and audiences are properly represented.' When it was announced that the soap was ending BBC Scotland bosses said that "viewing habits have changed" and they will be investing in the "next generation of high-impact drama series from across Scotland". Reflecting a significant change in audience behaviour away from long-running series and towards shorter runs, the BBC will make a considerable boost in major drama productions set across Scotland. This means moving the River City investment and starting with three new series – Counsels, Grams and The Young Team. To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here
BBC News
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC Scotland to scrap flagship drama River City
BBC Scotland is to scrap its flagship soap River City after more than 20 drama which began in September 2002 will continue filming for another 12 months before airing its final series in autumn next BBC said there had been a significant change in audience behaviour away from long-running series and towards shorter said total investment in drama would increase over the next three years with the focus on "world-class productions" that can be sold internationally. River City was set in the fictional west of Scotland town of Shieldinch and filmed on a specially built set in was originally seen as a Scottish competitor to Eastenders and Coronation Street but struggled to get viewers in other parts of the Purdon, who was nicknamed Shellsuit Bob in the early years of the show, is the only original member of the cast that still appears in the its early days, the soap attracted stars such as Stefan Dennis, from Neighbours, and Lorraine McIntosh from pop band Deacon Webbe from pop band Blue also had a part in the show as well as young Sam Heughan, the actor who would go on to star in hit show Susan Boyle, broadcaster Lorraine Kelly and Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills are among the celebrities to have made cameo appearances over the years. BBC Scotland director Hayley Valentine said: "The team have done a brilliant job and I know they have some big plans for the finale next year. "But as viewing patterns change and competition intensifies, this is the right time to invest in the next generation of high-impact drama series from across Scotland showcasing storytelling across the UK."At the same time as announcing the end of River City, the BBC said three new dramas - Counsels, Grams and The Young Team - would create new opportunities across the independent TV production sector. It said total investment in BBC drama from Scotland over the next three years is expected to rise to over £95m in well as the new dramas, the BBC said that popular show Granite Harbour will return for a third series as well as Shetland coming back for its 10th series and Vigil for a third. The BBC says the decision to bring River City to an end is driven by changing for soap operas and continuing dramas have been declining across the focus is shifting towards shorter series which make a high impact. Shows such as Shetland can be "appointment to view" TV which are sold abroad, streamed for a long time and repeated on smaller falling audiences for soaps - along with the inflationary costs which have faced drama productions - have led to some hard decisions for commissioners, with daytime soap Doctors and the medical drama Holby City coming to an challenge for the BBC will be to demonstrate that the resources freed up by this move are being spent effectively on other Scottish the programme started in 2002, the hope was that River City would build a strong relationship with its audience - especially those viewers who may not have felt well-served by the BBC in is only natural some regular viewers and fans will be disappointed by today's there is also the question of the impact on employment - for actors, writers and production of those who work on River City are will be vital for the BBC to demonstrate that other commissions balance out River City's loss and ensure there are still plenty of employment is likely to face scrutiny to ensure a creative decision which will disappoint some viewers does not prove to be bad news for the TV production industry.
