Press Releases

Meet Shieldinch's newest recruits – Gordon, Jack, Hayley and Robbie – who are set to open the doors of trendy new salon Just Gordon on BBC Scotland's River City this summer.

Sandy Welch (The Karen Dunbar Show, Rebus) plays Gordon Swan, who decides to extend his franchise of salons in the area by buying Moda Vida from Shirley (Barbara Rafferty) when she finds herself in financial difficulty.

Gordon's right hand man is salon manager Jack Farquhar, played by John Comerford (Hallam Foe, High Times.) Jack is a bit of a ladies' man to say the least, and wastes no time in chatting up some of the locals including Gina (Libby McArthur) and Eileen (Deirdre Davis).

TV newcomers Pamela Byrne and Gary Lamont complete the salon's line-up, playing Hayley and Robbie, who instantly become best pals and add sparkle to Shieldinch with their outgoing personalities and fun sense of humour.

Sandy Welch said: "Just Gordon opens its doors in June, and over the summer the viewers will get to know its staff a little better. Gordon is harbouring a big secret, which will eventually be exposed by one of his colleagues."

Playing the part of a hairdresser is familiar territory for John Comerford, who owns a salon in Glasgow's West End. He said: "I guess it's like art imitating life for me – at least I know my way around a pair of scissors!"

Pamela Byrne added: "Filming River City has been great fun so far – Hayley's a very bubbly character, who has a feisty side to her personality, which makes her great to play."

"Robbie arrives a bit later than Gordon, Jack and Hayley," says Gary Lamont. "He goes through a very entertaining interview process and his larger than life, quick-witted personality leaves him with no problems in securing a job. Robbie and Hayley become close friends from the moment they meet."

Also this summer in Shieldinch, viewers will be treated to guest appearances from some familiar returning faces.

Roisin McIntyre (Joyce Falconer) is back in town as she attempts to attend her sister Shona (Julie Duncanson)'s forthcoming marriage to Raymond (Paul Samson), but arrives late.

William Ruane revisits his role as Brian Henderson, when he is released from his halfway house to visit his parents Raymond and Eileen for a day.

Shirley's daughter Della, played by Katie McEwen, flies in from Spain when she realises that her mum is not coping with her finances and is in need of help.

And Jimmy Yuill returns as Reverend John Wallace. On his last visit to Shieldinch, viewers learned that Rev Wallace has never been able to accept his son Scott's sexuality. Further extremely emotional scenes between the father and son will be screened in July.

River City's Executive Producer Gaynor Holmes said: "Summer in Shieldinch is going to be incredibly exciting with the arrival of the Just Gordon staff, and excellent returning appearances from Roisin, Della, Brian and Scott's father, John.

"On top of all this, a huge storyline begins to brew when a series of sex attacks take place in the area, striking fear amongst the local ladies."

River City is broadcast on Tuesday evenings at 8.00pm on BBC One Scotland. It can also be viewed on Sky channel 971, Freesat channel 960 and is available on BBC iPlayer.

WC