Latest news with #Shieldinch
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Simone Lahbib joins the cast of BBC Scotland drama River City
Scots actress Simone Lahbib (Bad Girls, Wire in the Blood, Loch Ness) has joined the cast of BBC Scotland's drama, River City, as Vivienne 'Viv' Barton – part of the formidable Foulkes gangster family. Simone will make her River City debut at the end of June (June 23 on BBC iPlayer and June 25 on BBC Scotland) as part of the forthcoming new series. Business owner Viv arrives in Shieldinch in the hope of reconciling with her son Tyler (Cameron Fulton), after walking out on her marriage to Harry Foulkes (Jim Sturgeon) and her family over two decades ago. Her surprise arrival shocks family friend Eddie Corrigan (Rob Jarvis), who reveals to Viv he thought she was dead – a lie Harry spun for decades. Stunned, Viv will reveal the shocking truth behind her decision to abandon her family - but will Tyler forgive her and how will Harry feel to see his wife back from the dead? Simone is looking forward to the drama Viv will bring: 'Viv is a wonderfully complex character. She'll do and say anything she needs to survive but surviving isn't enough for Viv…she has plans. 'Viv is desperate to reconnect with her son Tyler, played by the super talented Cameron Fulton and all the while avoid her ex-husband, gangster Harry Foulkes who is played by the lovely Jim Sturgeon. Unfortunately, the way she will go about things turns what is already a delicate, emotionally charged situation into a series of traumatic events. 'She's like the proverbial cat among the pigeons, a bull in a china shop, a tornado, causing devastation to everything and everyone in her path.' For years, Viv stayed hidden but after reading about Tyler's accident at New Year and having read about her son Darren's death in the papers, a guilt-ridden Viv has vowed to make right all the wrongs of her past and be there for her only surviving son. However, Viv will need to face her estranged husband Harry, a ruthless, cold-blooded killer who won't be messed with. Martin McCardie, BBC Studios Executive Producer, says: 'Everyone is thrilled to have Simone on board at River City. Her character Viv Barton is wonderfully complex and will make quite an impact on arrival. She's a caring mum who desperately wants to make amends with her estranged son, Tyler but she also has her eye on the Foulkes family fortune and the power her ex-husband Harry has. Viv doesn't care who will be collateral damage in her pursuit of these things…including her son. We're sure audiences will be enthralled by Viv Barton and the chaos she brings with her.' Returning to Scotland is a perk of the job for Simone: 'Working in Scotland for me always feels like coming home. It's literally the most perfect location for me - I get to stay with my parents between filming, so I spend time with all my family and even have my mum to go through my lines with me - she gets very into her roles! 'River City has a truly wonderful cast and crew. There's a real family feel on set which comes from working with good people. Everyone has made me feel so welcome from day one.' Simone joins the cast alongside new arrivals including Michael Moreland (Six Four, Years & Years) as Dr Joseph Albert, James Young (Guilt) as Simon Mack and Graeme Dalling (Outlander, Only Child) as Kelly-Marie's (played by Carmen Pieraccini) husband Chris Black. River City returns for a new series on BBC iPlayer from Monday 16 June, BBC Scotland on Mondays and Wednesdays and BBC One Scotland on Tuesdays and Thursdays. River City is a BBC Studios Drama Production for BBC Scotland. The Executive Producers are Martin McCardie for BBC Studios Drama and Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland. Watch River City on BBC iPlayer JM2
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Star of iconic noughties show joins River City
THEY'RE set to shake up Shieldinch following the announcement that the series will be axed in 2026 after a 24 years run. Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER EastEnders star Simone Lahbib has joined the ranks of River City after a shock soap switch. The Scots actress, from Stirling, played villain carer Katy Lewis in Albert Square and left Walford four years ago. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 1 Simone Lahbib has joined the cast of River City. Credit: BBC Now the Bad Girls favourite, 60, is set to shake up Shieldinch following the announcement that the series will be axed in 2026 after a 24 years run. She joins the cast as Vivienne 'Viv' Barton – part of the formidable Foulkes gangster family - as she hopes to of reconcile with her son Tyler (Cameron Fulton), after walking out on her marriage to Harry Foulkes (Jim Sturgeon). Simone said: "Viv is desperate to reconnect with her son Tyler and all the while avoid her ex-husband, gangster Harry Foulkes "Unfortunately, the way she will go about things turns what is already a delicate, emotionally charged situation into a series of traumatic events. 'She's like the proverbial cat among the pigeons, a bull in a china shop, a tornado, causing devastation to everything and everyone in her path. "Viv is a wonderfully complex character. She'll do and say anything she needs to survive but surviving isn't enough for Viv…she has plans." Her surprise arrival shocks family friend Eddie Corrigan (Rob Jarvis), who reveals to Viv he thought she was dead – a lie Harry spun for decades. Stunned, Viv will reveal the shocking truth behind her decision to abandon her family - but will Tyler forgive her and how will Harry feel to see his wife back from the dead? She added: 'Working in Scotland for me always feels like coming home. "It's literally the most perfect location for me - I get to stay with my parents between filming, so I spend time with all my family and even have my mum to go through my lines with me - she gets very into her roles. Iconic Scots BBC show AXED after more than 20 years 'River City has a truly wonderful cast and crew. "There's a real family feel on set which comes from working with good people. "Everyone has made me feel so welcome from day one.' River City returns June 23 on iPlayer and June 25 on BBC Scotland
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Grado and Stephen Purdon bringing comedy tour to Airdrie Town Hall
The panto double-act will be tag-teaming up for the 'Grado & Purdon: Shellsuits & Spandex' show that is sure to leave audiences in stitches. Two of Scotland's favourite funnymen and familiar faces are heading to Airdrie Town Hall for an evening of laughter. Grado, the wrestler and star of TV's Two Doors Down and Scot Squad, and River City's Stephen Purdon, aka the BBC soap's Bob O'Hara, will take to the stage at the Stirling Street venue on June 10 as they hit the road for a hilarious tour across Scotland. The panto double-act will be tag-teaming up for the Grado & Purdon: Shellsuits & Spandex show that is sure to leave audiences in stitches. From Shieldinch to Latimer Crescent, the duo will share late tales from their careers in television, wrestling and panto, plus plenty of personal anecdotes. Boab and Grado promise "a night of laughter and fun that audiences won't forget", with a chance to meet the pair after the show. Grado & Purdon: Shellsuits & Spandex at Airdrie Town Hall starts at 7.30pm, with tickets priced £25 for standards and £39 for meet and greets. For tickets, and more information, call the box office team on 01698 274545 or visit here. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
