RIVER City superfan Lorraine Kelly has told of her heartbreak at her favourite show being axed — insisting: “It deserved a global audience.”
The morning telly icon, 65, hailed programme bosses for helping launch the careers of Outlander leading man Sam Heughan, 44, as well as bringing veteran stage and screen legends like Johnny Beattie to a new audience.
Lorraine even made a one-off appearance where she got to live her dream of visiting the Tall Ship pub.
BBC bosses yesterday confirmed the flagship soap is being canned after 24 years with final scenes from Shieldinch to be screened in Autumn next year.
Lorraine said: “I’m really sad to say goodbye to a show that I always thought punched above its weight and deserved a UK-wide and global audience.
“One of my career highlights was getting to play a wee cameo on River City and steal sausage rolls from a do in the Tall Ship.
“It’s been home to some of Scotland’s finest actors and gave so many young upcoming talents their big break, both on and off screen.”
Beeb bosses confirmed they are ending the lease on the purpose-built street set in Dumbarton — where iconic locations like the bar and Oyster Cafe were created.
They say the budget will be ploughed into other projects with shorter runs.
Fans and stars alike were left gutted at the news.
Original cast member Allison McKenzie, 45, who played Jo Rossi when the series began, is currently working in Liverpool on new Matt Busby play Red or Dead.
She said: “It was one of my first jobs and they threw every storyline they could at me — from having my baby thrown in the Clyde, getting knocked down and almost dying at my mother’s funeral, to killing Stefan Dennis in cold blood.
“It’s a sad day to hear it’s ending but I doff my cap to it.”
Cameron Jack, 53, who recently played gangster Des Stuart in Shieldinch, said he was “gutted” for the cast and crew.
He added: “I hope the BBC are true to their promise that they’ll bring more content to Glasgow to replace River City.
“But I think it can’t be replaced. The BBC missed a trick by not networking the show years ago.
“I hope everyone both in front and behind the camera finds work soon as they’re some of the most talented people I’ve worked with.”
Tom Urie, 56, who played Bob O’Hara from 2009, admitted he was “totally shocked”.
He said: “River City wove itself into the fabric of Scottish life.
“I cherish my time there, getting to work with actors like Una McLean, Johnnie Beattie and Eileen McCallum.
“I learned so much — the whole team are amazing.
“I’d always hoped Big Bob would one day wander those streets again. I’ll miss the show so much.”
Famous faces who flocked to Shieldinch
River City superfan Lorraine Kelly isn’t the only star to turn up unexpectedly in the long-running soap.
Chart-topping singer Susan Boyle might give the morning telly favourite a run for her money as the biggest celebrity fan of the show.
SuBo, 63, made a surprise appearance as herself in 2021, modelling for a charity photoshoot to raise money for Molly’s Corner Cafe.
She said: “I had a brilliant time filming River City.
“All the cast and crew were so kind and welcoming, it was a great atmosphere.
“I’m a huge fan of the show and always watch it, so to be a part of it and on set was fantastic.”
Since it launched more than two decades ago, celeb fans have been eager to try their hand at acting in the drama series, from singers to radio stars.
And soap legend Stefan Dennis was among them.
Famous for his iconic role as ruthless businessman Paul Robinson in Aussie favourite Neighbours, he took on another evil character in Dr Marcus McKenzie in the Scots staple.
The actor, who married Scot Gail Easdale, starred in the show from 2002 to 2003 and loved his time in Glasgow, saying: “I spent 12 years in the UK and just before we decided to come back to Australia, I received a call offering me a part on River City.
“When we realised it meant spending six months in Scotland, we knew it was too good an opportunity to pass up.”
Lorraine made her River City debut in 2006, playing herself as a guest at a wedding.
She said: “It is so well written and acted and has fantastic dramatic storylines as well as a deft way with comedy.”
Singer Simon Webbe, 46, also did a stint as a former soldier during a hiatus from his boyband Blue in 2016.
And Radio 2 breakfast host Scott Mills also secured a guest appearance after praising the soap on his show and even campaigned for it to be screened outside of Scotland.
Tony Kearney, 52, played Scott Wallace, the first openly gay character in a long-running Scottish drama.
After leaving in 2011, he returned as a director.
He said: “It’s a huge blow and the end of an era for Scots TV.
“It was more than just a drama, it was a vital training ground.
“Changing viewing habits made River City a casualty of the times but I’ve no doubt it will go out with the bang it deserves.”
Behind-the-scenes pros were also left disappointed.
Editor Conor Meechan said: “Devastated by this news. River City championed new talent for years across all departments.
“That pathway for new entrants into continuing drama ends today.”
Fellow telly editor Tom Strachan added: “Hate to see this. So many great people involved with River City. Another show that gave people opportunities bites the dust.”
Stephen Purdon, 41, nicknamed Shellsuit Bob in the show’s early years, is the only original member of the cast who still appears.
There was also political dismay at its demise.
Scots Labour culture spokesman Neil Bibby said: “It is deeply disappointing news for the actors, production crew and many viewers. Everything that can be done should be done to save it.
“Even if this decision goes ahead it’s essential the £9million annual budget is ringfenced for producing Scottish drama to protect the jobs of actors and production crew and provide entertainment for viewers.”
Outlander hunk Sam appeared in several episodes of the soap back in 2005, playing footballer Andrew Murray.
And Joy McAvoy, 42, kicked off her telly career as escort agency boss Pippa Ballantyne in 2013 before becoming a regular in Two Doors Down as Michelle Young.
BBC Scotland Director Hayley Valentine said: “The team have done a brilliant job and I know they have some big plans for the finale next year.
“But as viewing patterns change and competition intensifies, this is the right time to invest in the next generation of high-impact drama series from across Scotland.”
Three new series will be created for the channel — Counsels, Grams and The Young Team.
There will also be a third series of Granite Harbour plus a tenth for Shetland and a third for Vigil.
Investment in BBC drama from Scotland over the next three years is expected to rise to £95million.
Louise Thornton, the channel’s commissioning chief, said: “We’re incredibly proud of River City and it is with great sadness that we’ve come to this difficult decision.”
