BBC News | Backstage Blog

Postcard from NYC

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:01:21 +0000

So it looks like Nicki's had it with Shieldinch - a cab zipped her off to the land of Spanglish and sangria, into the well-tanned arms of Shirley, her substitute mum. She leaves behind a cheating fiancé, the stench of engine oil, a squad of mates and a whole gaggle of memories. Who knows if we'll see Nicki again on Montego Street but the actress who plays Nicki has got Broadway firmly on her mind. Talented Jayd Johnson has taken up a place at a prestigious acting school in New York and she has started her studies. Are we jealous? Hmmm... Central Perk or Kinning Park?

We caught up with Jayd to find out all about her new life in the Big Apple, and she sent us a snap of her enjoying an icy February day in Manhattan.

"I arrived in NYC on the 5th of January this year but I had a really bad flight, and got earache, so when I landed I went straight to the hotel and into my bed. So my first day in New York was spent in bed! But on the second day we went to Times Square and I think that's when it hit me that I was in New York! I sat on the red steps and it was such a strange feeling because all I could think was 'I live here now' - amazing!

"The city is amazing - it's so much more than i imagined! I walk past the Empire state building every day to get to school.

But was it sad saying farewell to her friends in Shieldinch and Scotland?

"My last week in Glasgow was amazing - my friends actually had two nights for me leaving, they threw me a leaving party at a bar in town and I got to see all of my friends. Gordon McCorkell and Lorna Anderson were both there. And then the night before I left I went for dinner with my best friends and family. Sam Robertson was there and, of course, Laura McMonagle. So it was great getting to see them all.

"I found it really hard saying goodbye to my friends. My mum, dad, sister and brother-in-law all came to New York with me for my first week so I didn't have to say goodbye to them in Glasgow. It was such a hard thing having to say goodbye to them and I do miss them a lot.

So now she's settling into New York life. As a student surely it's all long lies, the odd lecture and beans on toast? Don't think so!

"The course is really busy and I take seven classes in all: theatre history, acting, movement, voice and speech, speech practicum, vocal production and Alexander Technique. I've learnt so much already and I have only been here a few weeks! Among the plays that I'm loving are 'True West' by Sam Shepard and 'Hooters' by Ted Tally. The workload is very intense - we have a lot of studying to do in terms of writing play reports and reading but I am loving it so much."

So will Nicki return to Shieldinch? Who can say but, for Jayd, the door in Dumbarton is always open. The cast and crew of River City are proud as punch of her achievements and they'll always be glad to hear from her. We wish her well with her studies and look forward to hearing about her future success.

You can watch our exclusive video interview with Jayd now, and visit our 'Gangs to Gaskets' photo gallery to relive her time in River City.

The Cameras Are Rolling Again

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:54:53 +0000

Our production team has been rattling about the streets of Shieldinch for the last couple of months while we've been on a filming break but today's the day everything gets back to normal... whatever 'normal' is.

The cast and crew are back and have just started filming another batch of 26 episodes for your televisual enjoyment!

I'd not be popular at work if I revealed what scenes are shooting but I can tell you that Scarlett, Iona and Big Bob are the hardest-working individuals today.

To add to the excitement, Chris Evans mentioned the show on his Radio 2 breakfast show this morning! Libby (Gina) and Deirdre (Eileen) got in touch and Chris wished everyone all the best for the new filming block. You can find it on the iPlayer at about 21 minutes in.

Tuesday, 12 January 2010

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:00:14 +0000

Oooh, that fair tugged at the heart strings!

Malcolm's proposal was unexpected but wonderful! Every scene with Malcolm and Liz is just magic. Let's hope his fears are unfounded.

It's so hard to see Raymond and Iona struggle without Shona but isn't it great to see the youngest MacIntyre sister back? Iona's drunken antics remind us how much fun she is (it'd be interesting to see her and Charlie get together!) but it must've been quite a shock for Hayley and Robbie. The three of them could have a blast together if they just give each other a chance :)

And just what has Bob been up to, eh? We're watching you, Bob Adams.

Dame For A Laugh

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:03:50 +0000

If you're already yearning for a return to festive cheer, allow us to draw your attention to some sparkling stories from Johnny Beattie and Eileen McCallum. We spoke to the panto legends as they filmed the special Shieldinch Christmas show - watch their interview now!

Shieldinch Christmas Panto - TV Trail

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:09:32 +0000

You may have spotted the TV trail for our Christmas panto after Tuesday's River City! It'll be on BBC One Scotland a few times between now and Tuesday, 15 December, but we won't make you wait by your telly on the off-chance it comes on. You can watch the trail online right now and get a glimpse of Johnny Beattie at his very best.

Let us know what you think :)

Tuesday, 8 December 2009

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:00:17 +0000

Awwww! A great lesson from River City tonight: look after yer ma. It was quite heart-warming to see Scott making up with his mum but he does look rather nervous about returning to Lewis. And what about wee Eilidh? Isn't he meant to be her daddy? Hope he comes back soon to pick up his paternal duties.

Maternal duties, however, are clearly lacking in one Shieldinch resident. What are you up to, Jo?! After everything she's been through it must be terribly hard for Gina and Ruth to turn their back on her but she really did overstep the mark tonight. Maybe Lydia will get her back on her feet.

What d'you think of Stella? She seems to fit in pretty well round there... well, she does now that Nicki has given her the seal of approval... but let's hope she really does pursue a fresh start cos that Deek's too soft for his own good and can easily be taken advantage of.

Tuesday, 1 December 2009

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:03:16 +0000

How could you, Innes?! You stole Amber from under poor Charlie's nose, and you knew fine well that it would upset Jen too. Bah. Amber looked suitably ashamed - let's hope she'll see sense soon. Did anyone realise Jen was hankering after Amber? It's no wonder she enjoyed that game of spin the bottle.

Innes and Amber's coupling wasn't exactly romantic but who knew that Lenny Murdoch could be a hearts'n'flowers man? Lydia's too smart to fall for it though... or is she? Please, PLEASE, don't let those two renew their wedding vows!

On the subject of rekindled romances, what d'you think about Jo and Ewan? She seems to be going right off the rails... you'd think that Ewan learned his lesson the last time.

Francie and Josie

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:15:33 +0000

Raymond and Jimmy did a star turn at the St. Andrew's Day hoolie so we've put the video of their Francie and Josie sketch online for you to enjoy again!"

Tuesday, 24 November 2009

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:00:01 +0000

Lenny's back on form! Being on the right side of the law clearly doesn't suit him but it would have been heart-warming if he'd stuck to his word and looked out for Dunny. It's not too hard to imagine what will happen to that young lad :(

And who knew Mr Murdoch was a bit of an art detective? Smart thinking, Poirot.

Spin the Bottle often ends in drama and Innes clearly enjoyed the Amber/Jennifer kiss... but maybe a knock-out punch from Charlie will put an end to his macho displays? Nah, we don't think so either!

Children In Need - Video and Photos

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:01:00 +0000

You can now watch River City's 'Come Dine With Me' sketch online, and see some of the backstage shenanigans in our exclusive collection of pictures!

You'll also find many of Scotland's Children In Need highlights on the Pudsey Scotland site. Enjoy!

Robbie & Hayley's Radio Appearance

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:33:23 +0000

Gary Lamont and Pamela Byrne (aka Robbie and Hayley) went on the MacAulay & Co show this morning on Radio Scotland. Guest hosts Richard Gordon and Susan Calman spoke to the pair about their life in Shieldinch, tonight's Children In Need special, and talked about a new arrival in River City.

Listen again to their appearance on the iPlayer now. They crop up at around the 1 hour, 34 minutes mark.

Children In Need Reminder

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:50:34 +0000

Don't forget that Children In Need is on BBC One Scotland on Friday night! The event kicks off at 1900; the first visit to Scotland will be at 1945, and River City's contribution (a Come Dine With Me special) should be shown around 2000 (although that can never be guaranteed due to the wonders of live telly).

We'll have the finished River City sketch online as soon as we can after the show finishes, along with a gallery of photos.

Dear Senga - My Boss Is My Dad!

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:01:05 +0000

Dear Senga,
I don't know what to do. I'm 23 years old and my world has just literally fallen apart.

I've just found out that my dad's not actually my dad. I've been working for this guy, Gordon, for ages... and living in his flat (not like THAT, I rent from him with my mate Robbie)... but now I've found out he's much more than my boss. Gordon's my real dad. I had no idea my mum had even met him until yesterday!

I don't know how to start getting my head around this.

Mum didn't even tell me, said she wasn't brave enough. I found out at the same time as half of Shieldinch. It was humiliating.

How can I keep working for Gordon now? Why did he give me the job? Did he think about me when I was growing up? I've been working for him all this time... and he knew who I was. Even Jack (this bloke I work with) knew. Who else?

I can't believe my family's been living a lie for so long. I'm worrying about what else people are keeping from me.

How do I face everyone - my dad, Gordon, and everyone at work?

Thanks,
H xxxx

Garrow's Law

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:54:05 +0000

Barbara Rafferty, who played Shirley in River City, appeared in last night's Garrow's Law on BBC One Scotland. Coincidentally, the 18th century legal drama was shot in Dumbarton, on a set next door to Shirley's old haunts in Shieldinch!

If you missed it on TV, you can watch Barbara's appearance in Garrow's Law on the iPlayer now.

Come Dine With Me - Teaser

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:03:17 +0000

You can now watch a wee 'Come Dine With Me' introduction video, featuring the cast of River City's Children In Need special.

There are a couple of pics from the filming in a previous blog post.