Govan street philosopher Rab C to return to BBC screens

Published on Saturday 16 May 2009 19:53

THE MOST famous string vest in Scotland is to be given another airing.

BBC bosses have revealed they are to bring back Rab C Nesbitt for a new series.

The long-running anarchic comedy, which featured Gregor Fisher as a ranting Govan slob, regularly attracted millions of viewers, but was axed in 1999.

But now Jana Bennet, the BBC's head of vision, has confirmed the Irn Bru-swilling, fish supper-munching anti-hero is to make a comeback.

Bennett, who is in charge of all output on BBC television channels, said a new series of the comedy, which once drew viewing figures of four to six million and won the Royal Television Society award for best sitcom, was part of a package of new commissions to be made north of the border.

Nesbitt first appeared on the BBC sketch series Naked Video, but later graduated to having his own show scripted by Ian Pattison.

Its dark humour gained audiences across the UK and featured guest appearances by a host of big names including current Doctor Who David Tennant (who played a transvestite barmaid), former Timelord Sylvester McCoy, Ashley Jensen, director Peter Mullan, Timothy Spall, comics Stanley Baxter, Rikki Fulton and Jerry Sadowitz, plus EastEnders actress Anita Dobson.

Elaine C Smith will return as Nesbitt's long-suffering wife Mary Doll, while Tony Roper and Barbara Rafferty will reprise their roles as the Jamesie and Ella Cotter respectively.

Bennett said of Rab C Nesbitt: "I think that with Scottish output, it's not just about making more productions and putting more people in, it's about tapping into people's experiences. That's why Rab C Nesbitt feels so authentic – that sense of authenticity would not be very likely if it was being made in another place."

The revitalised show will continue to be scripted by Pattison and will be made in Glasgow by The Comedy Unit.

The series was revered by large numbers viewers, but others claimed it fuelled negative perceptions of Scotland being the sick man of Europe.

Bennett also said that BBC Scotland would be making more arts, factual, drama, children's and comedy programmes in the coming years.

New series of comedy shows Life Of Riley and The Old Guys are also likely to be made in Scotland, as well as previously announced moves to Scotland for the main National Lottery shows, Imagine, Newsnight Review and Question Time. The Weakest Link will shoot 132 episodes next year in Scotland.