Taggart actor Colin McCredie slips into panto role after Cinderella star outed as porn actor

Published on 30/10/2012 12:01

he’s the “super-sub” drafted in to take over after the big-name first choice was caught with his pants down.

However, former Taggart star Colin McCredie insists he has no video nasties lurking in his closet – except for a few episodes of Take the High Road.

The actor, who played DC Fraser in the long-running police show and also featured in River City, has stepped in to save the day after Capital star Craig Chalmers was dumped by panto bosses for moonlighting in porn films.

He will take on the role of Dandini – who was being played by Chalmers’ Prince Charming replacement James Mackenzie – in a festive
production of Cinderella at the Alahambra Theatre in
Dunfermline.

But while he comes with a squeaky clean image, Mr McCredie said has wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with X-rated drama.

He said: “I’m the super-sub they’ve got in from off the bench. It’s strange actually, I’m currently appearing in I, Tommy, which is about Tommy Sheridan and the alleged sex scandal surrounding him, so it’s a bit odd to be getting called in to do this because of another one.

“I had no idea why Craig Chalmers left when I accepted the job. It does lend a whole other meaning to the phrase ‘He’s behind you’.

“The only dodgy videos I’ve ever been in were a couple of episodes of Take the High Road.”

Chalmers lost his role when theatre bosses discovered his porn secret, making films under the name of Ryan Ryder.

He became a household name in 2007 when he took fifth place in Any Dream Will Do – which searched for a lead to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

He was sent packing from panto after an anonymous phone call revealed his porn exploits.

He claims he got into the adult film industry after he and his wife – who also stars in X-rated movies – bumped into a mystery porn actor on holiday.

He told the News last week he was not ashamed of his new career.

“I make considerably more money than when I was performing lead roles in pantos and plays,” he said. “However, it’s not all about money, the adult industry offers me the chance to work regularly while also allowing me to spend more time at home.”

Mr McCredie, who in 2009 admitted he was “disappointed” at being axed from Taggart over the phone, praised Chalmers for coming clean after being exposed.

“It’s been a bit embarrassing for everyone, but at least he held his hands up to it and was very up front about it.”

Related Articles

• Strictly more than dancing and snowmen

  Aled Jones, Usher Hall ***