BBC NEWS | Backstage Blog

Children In Need - Video and Photos

Julie (BBC News) — 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

Julie (BBC News) — 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

Julie (BBC News) — 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!

Julie (BBC News) — 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

Tuesday, 17 November 2009

Anna F (BBC News) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:00:35 +0000

Skeletons have a habit of falling out of the cupboard eventually, but in Shieldinch you can rely on them being exposed with some very public drink-flinging in The Ship. As Eileen commented: 'Not every night you get a free floor show'.

Poor Gordon. Hayley let him have it: she was livid at hearing he'd supposedly made a pass at her mum Tricia (aka Trixie, Gordon's pet name for her when they were younger), and chucked a drink in his face. Gordon thought the truth had finally been revealed, and Hayley had been told that he was really her father. So Hayley's world came crumbling down before her, and Tricia and Gordon had to confront the fall-out of their twenty-three year old secret head-on.

Scarlett did herself proud at Murray's 'Living with Literacy' group at the community centres as she explained how not being able to read or write left her flummoxed on so many occasions. It seems Murray has the gentle touch, in SO many ways, as Eileen was just about to investigate by the looks of things. Pity Gina returned, just as Eileen was about to reap the rewards of a night spent fluttering her eyelids at Murray.

And what is going on between Lenny and the light-fingered youngster he's befriended? Hmm...

Garrow's Law

Julie (BBC News) — 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

Julie (BBC News) — 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.

Come Dine With Me... In Shieldinch!

Julie (BBC News) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:57:43 +0000

Pudsey was spotted in Shieldinch a few days ago, drumming up support for BBC Children in Need. Cast and crew spent Saturday filming a very special version of 'Come Dine With Me' and, naturally, the bear was omnipresent.

You'll be able to watch it on BBC One Scotland on Friday, 20 November, then again on the iPlayer for a week after transmission. I'll share more information with you soon but, in the meantime, here are a couple of pics to whet your appetite :)

You can find out more about the Children In Need appeal on the Pudsey Scotland website.

Tuesday, 10 November 2009

Anna F (BBC News) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Oops, Eileen didn't quite hit the ground running with her new job at the community centre! Sending Joe's boxing club packing, with extreme air freshener tactics, and causing a strike made for a dramatic first day.

Ditching the bingo did not endear her to the older Shieldinch citizens either plus it seems conversational Portuguese and haiku might not pull in the punters. It'll be interesting to see how things pan out between Eileen and the mysterious Murray though.

Scarlett's haiku was good though - she showed a natural flair!
'Like a leaf in Autumn
She, who has a big head
Falls from a great height.'
Hmm, wonder who this was about?

Meanwhile over at the salon it was battle of the brushes between Jack and Robbie. Loved Robbie keeping watch over Arlene's 'body', and his comment about 'so much for big hair, big horizons, eh?'. Bet there'll be a few more skirmishes between this pair!

Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Julie (BBC News) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:00:00 +0000

It's easy to forget that Jimmy has a bit of a dark past so it was awful to get a glimpse of that tonight. He did a lot of ducking and diving for McCabe before he went straight for his family but scaring Scarlett like that is unthinkable! It's horrible to see them in trouble so it's a relief to see them kiss and make up. Maybe now they really can move on from the trauma Learmonth put them through.

Good to see Jo back but what is she thinking of?! I wonder if she and Ewan will get back together... and does Deek fancy this Stella girl? 'You remind me of my mum' is never going to win a girl's heart! Time will tell.

Spoiler for Tuesday, 10 November 2009

Julie (BBC News) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:26:27 +0000

Want to know what happens next week? We've got all the gossip right here. Ssshhh, don't tell anyone! Click on 'reveal spoiler' to read all about it.

Eileen's first day at the community centre is a disaster! After driving Joe away, and facing protests to her plans, she has to backtrack to please the council. As a result, she's forced to agree to other people's ideas, most of which she doesn't agree with.

Hayley, wound up by Robbie, is freaked out when Gordon takes her to lunch and lavishes way too much attention upon her. She accuses him of fancying her and doesn't have a clue about the truth of their relationship.

Robbie but quickly finds himself in deep trouble when he is left in charge of the salon. Jack loves to see Robbie squirm but it's Robbie who has the last laugh... much to Jack's disgust.

Tuesday, 27 October 2009

Julie (BBC News) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Shieldinch has more than its fair share of ghosts so it's no surprise that our residents can get spooked out every now and then. Jennifer was pretty awesome though, getting her own back on Innes. He's far too cocky! Surely he's seen enough films to know you shouldn't mess with ouija boards!

It was nice to see Charlie siding with his sister at last but was that groaning and droning really from the pipes? I wonder if we'll find out what the wailing was all about. Perhaps it's Lenny Murdoch crying into his tea, realising what he's lost. Or is he being haunted by one of his many victims?

Talking of baddies, good on Scarlett and Jimmy for standing up to Michael. Let's hope this is the last we see of him.

Spoiler for Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Julie (BBC News) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:12:52 +0000

Spoilers are back! We've kept them hidden so that we don't spoil any surprises but if you really want to find out what happens in next week's River City, just click on 'reveal spoiler' below!

Jo's back but she's still ignoring wee Romeo. Instead she turns her attention to Ewan and tries to get him into bed!

Innes plays the hero in the pub when he punches an annoying, drunken lad, and immediately attracts more attention from Amber, much to the chagrin of Charlie and Jen.

And Jimmy's fury gets too much when he bombards Scarlett with questions about Michael Learmonth. The traumatised couple spend a night apart and Bob warns him never to hurt his mum again. Nothing can get between the Mullens for long though.

Children in Need Appeal Launch

Julie (BBC News) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:29:34 +0000

Some Shieldinch residents popped into BBC Scotland's HQ in Glasgow to launch this year's Children in Need Appeal! Everyone got on their bikes to support 'Catch Me If You Can', a fund-raising venture that challenges Scotland's cyclists to 'catch' Mark Beaumont who will, by Children in Need night, have cycled approximately 10,000 miles down the west coast of the Americas.

Libby McArthur (Gina Hamilton), Gary Lamont (Robbie Fraser), Pamela Byrne (Hayley McCrone), John Comerford (Jack Paterson) and Sandy Welch (Gordon Swan) joined the famous Pudsey bear for today's photocall, along with Miss Scotland and BBC presenters John Beattie and David Currie.

This year's Children in Need takes place on Friday, 20 November, and you can find out all about it on bbc.co.uk/pudseyscotland.

New Scottish Soap

Julie (BBC News) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:00:00 +0000

A brand new soap, Westenders, is about to be unleashed on Glasgow. You won't find it on the telly though - it's a theatre production that will run for eight weeks from Thursday, 22 October. Each 20 minute episode is free and takes place in Glasgow's Oran Mor.

Some River City behind-the-scenes alumni are involved and they promise some well-kent faces on the stage.

"Pub landlady Ruby has more than her fair share of problems. Her poet husband Rabbie hasn't sold so much as a limerick since 1989. Her bohemian sister Pearl has put the moves on her daughter's boyfriend. Her son has joined the Young Tories. Her mother hates Ruby's husband while living under the same roof and her brother, Diamond, seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. And since the bank headquarters next door started making redundancies, the pub is haemorrhaging trade. Now the bank manager is breathing down her neck, and threatening to foreclose on their loan. Is there anything else that can go wrong? You bet."

You'll find more information about this new kind of soap on the Oran Mor website.