River City Backstage Blog

Tuesday 14th July

2009-07-14T20:09:36Z

Poor Amber! The girl's got it bad, and Innes isn't going to let her off easily! Should she keep on trying to impress him, or back off before things get even worse?

And just who is behind all the attacks in Shieldinch, if Marcus is innocent?

Tuesday July 7th

2009-07-07T20:15:56Z

Wow! How devious is Alex? Last time Brian was seen in Shieldinch he crashed a stolen car, killing his poor gran Moira, and this was after he'd kidnapped his step-sister Hazel and kept her locked in a cellar over Christmas! Glad to see he's doing better now though!

And will Amber get the message about Innes? He's obviously not interested- or is he? What do you think and what did you think about tonight's episode?

Squatters in Shieldinch?

2009-07-07T16:06:08Z

It's all quiet down in Dumbarton but word from the set is that a family of magpies has taken up residence in the deli! We are trying to encourage them to leave ( as kindly as we can). Also some more sinister squatters might have moved into the studio- it seems there may be poltergeist activity! A shelf had fallen down in the Mullens' kitchen with no apparent cause! No real damage though - just a cup and saucer broken. Let's hope they are not Scarlett's favourites!

Cooking with the King

2009-07-01T12:17:18Z

As you all know, River City is on a filming break for the summer. But that doesn't mean that our cast aren't working hard!

Deirdre Davis (Eileen) and Jayd Johnson (Nicki) will be appearing in 'Cooking With Elvis' at the Tron Theatre from next week. Also appearing will be Gavin Mitchell from Still Game and Martin Docherty from Dear Green Place. Full details are on the Tron's website.

Shona's Letter To Iona

2009-06-02T20:06:46Z

And this is the letter Shona left for Iona.

My darling, darling Iona.

If you are reading this it means I did not make it down the aisle and I am sorry for keeping secrets from you. I was going to tell you that I was sick after the wedding but I wanted you to enjoy the day first.

I wanted to see you on my wedding day just as you've always been throughout my life - a shining jewel in an all too often grey world. Please forgive me for not saying goodbye properly and promise me that every time you think of me you will share one of those big beautiful smiles with the world.

Writing this, thinking of you, I can't keep the smile off my face. Whether it's the nonsense you got up to as a kid or the scrapes you got me into when we were both old enough to know better, you've always made me laugh. And now, when I am sad that we won't share any more laughs, the thought of that cheeky grin of yours won't allow me to be miserable.

The years never seemed to age you and having you around helped me stay young. Peter Pan could learn a thing or two from you. Okay, sometimes your behaviour got too much for me, but even as I was telling you to cut it out I was thanking God for putting you in my life.

Keep smiling, Iona. Keep laughing and keep loving.

I always have and I always will love you, Iona. Thanks for letting me share your life.

Your loving sister.
Shona.

Shona's Letter To Raymond

2009-06-02T20:05:15Z

I thought you'd like to read Shona's parting letters in full. This is what she wrote to Raymond.

My dearest Raymond,

How can I begin this letter knowing it means our time together is over?

Raymond, I'm sorry. So sorry to be leaving you this soon. But I now know they are right when they say it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. I have always loved you. And I always will. Maybe this complete happiness is the sign that my time has come. Finally sorting things out with you made my life complete. What we have now couldn't get any better. It's perfect. But, Raymond, you have to know - wherever I go, wherever you go - my heart will always be with you.

I don't want tears. My funeral should be a celebration of my life. No dreary black coats and ties, I want people to wear their most beautiful clothes, to dress like they are going to the best party ever. Tell everybody if they feel a tear coming on just to think back to a good time they had with me - a giggle we enjoyed together. Remember to have a laugh yourself. And I want to be buried with my family on Barra. Beside Nanny and Pappa.

Promise me that you won't let your life end with mine. I want you to go out and show the rest of the world the Raymond that I know. Full of love, compassion, life. I am so proud of you. Now be proud of yourself.

Thanks for making me the happiest woman in the world.

Yours forever
Shona

Big Hair

2009-05-27T09:09:11Z

This photo of Stephen (Bob) and Jayd (Nicki) is too good not to share! You'll see them like this on screen in a couple of weeks :)

Tuesday, 26 May

2009-05-26T20:00:47Z

OMG. I don't know what to say after that. There have been a fair number of tears shed over this episode - on camera and by colleagues watching it in the office. I am devastated for Raymond - will that man ever find happiness? I could hardly watch poor wee Iona's grief and there are plenty more tears to come.

I'm sorry to see Shona leave our screens - I think she's been brilliant - but what a way to go! Shieldinch weddings are clearly jinxed!

If it hadn't been for such a tragedy, I'd be jumping up and down and shouting at Lenny tonight. Just who does he think he is? Raymond BELONGS behind that bar. I hope he finds a way past the devious Mr Murdoch and his son. Ewan couldn't run a... well, you know....

What did you think of tonight's show?

New Spoiler

2009-05-26T20:00:16Z

There's a new spoiler online now so you don't have to wait until next Tuesday to find out what happens! Feel free to talk about it in the comments section below... please remember that not everyone likes to know what's coming up so let's just keep this to ourselves.

It's Oh So Quiet

2009-05-26T12:19:35Z

The streets of Shieldinch are eerily empty today. The cast and crew are now on a filming break for the summer (well, allegedly it's summer) and won't return to Dumbarton until August. There are just a few of us left rattling about, which is really strange after months of hectic shooting!

As usual when the crew is on a break, the show won't disappear from your screens. All the episodes you'll see over the next few months have already been filmed so you'll still get your weekly dose of drama from River City, every Tuesday from 2000 on BBC One Scotland :)

Sam on Radio Scotland

2009-05-21T13:02:38Z

Samuel Robertson, who will soon appear in River City as new student Innes, will be on Radio Scotland on Friday, 22 May. Jim Gellatly popped down to the actual Oyster Cafe yesterday to meet Sam, the latest in a prestigious line of singers, actors and musicians all to be crowned a Dundee Hero on 'The Music Bed'. As soon as Jim found out the ex-Corrie actor was moving to Shieldinch, he was determined to track him down!

Tune in to BBC Radio Scotland from 2005 on Friday, 22 May, to hear Sam discussing his new role, his time in Coronation Street and working as an usher at the Dundee Rep. Or listen afterwards on the iPlayer!

Tuesday, 19 May

2009-05-19T20:00:01Z

Oh no!!!! As soon I knew Andy was coming back, I had high hopes for him and Ruth. He seemed so lovely in tonight's episode. However, Shieldinch wouldn't be the same without Ruth - I'd have been gutted if she'd gone to Dubai. Now how can we persuade the producers to create a really rich engineering firm in Shieldinch so that Andy gets a job there and Ruth is forced to realise they belong together?!

I started to feel sorry for Daniel when he was faced with opposition everywhere! I like his motives and I'm glad Marianne has finally realised she should be on his side.

I must be in a very sympathetic mood tonight but it's impossible not to feel sorry for Jimmy! Working for Bob was a disaster from the start but there must be *something* he's good at! In a bid to help Jimmy, I've conducted some intense research/asked around the office for ideas. Together, we've come up with the following suitable jobs: entertainer, therapist, plumber, Samaritan or postman. I do hope he takes our advice.

Wedding Spoiler

2009-05-19T16:38:30Z

There's a new spoiler on the website, revealing more about Raymond and Shona's wedding day! You'll find it on the Spoilers page.

Press Stories

2009-05-18T16:43:20Z

A number of stories appeared in the press over the weekend, revealing incoming characters, guest appearances from old favourites, and some future storylines. Please bear in mind that these contain spoilers! Feel free to discuss them using the comments section below.

Sunday Mail story 1.
Sunday Mail story 2.
News Of The World story.

Don't forget you can find more spoilers on the Spoilers page.

In With The New And, Er, In With The Old

2009-05-18T13:58:22Z

Four new hairdressers will arrive in Shieldinch in June. Sandy Welch (The Karen Dunbar Show, Rebus) will play Gordon Swan. He's already been spotted briefly in River City but this time he'll be hanging around for a while. His right hand man is Jack Paterson, played by John Comerford (Hallam Foe, High Times) who actually owns a Glasgow hairdressing salon in real life! Newcomers Pamela Byrne and Gary Lamont will also join as Hayley and Robbie.

Some old favourites are popping back to Shieldinch over the summer! Joyce Falconer (Roisin), William Ruane (Brian), Katie McEwen (Della) and Jimmy Yuill (Scott's dad, Rev John Wallace) will all make guest appearances.

Visit the Spoilers page to read about their summer stories and some more exciting reveals.