What is it like to play The Clansman's landlord Boabby in Still Game?
It's like putting on comfy old slippers. The Clansman is Boabby's Tardis: "Where are you taking me this time, old girl?"
How will you feel when the TV show comes to an end?
I'm trying not to think about it too much to be honest. We did have that break before [when the show was off air from 2007 until 2016] which gave us a little taste of that. Even then, though, it was never really over because people still call you a p**** every day and ask about the show.
No matter what we do, I don't ever see it going away. You could be James Bond, Doctor Who or Batman but you will still always be Boabby the p**** to your gravestone.
READ MORE: Still Game: Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill say farewell to the hit BBC Scotland comedy
Are you proud to be known that way?
[Deadpans] Thanks very much. Yes, it fills me with pride.
It is always said with great fondness and affection from people. There was the episode where they are betting on Stevie the bookie and Boabby having a fight. Jack says Boabby is a w***er and Victor says: "Aye, but he's our w***er."
I always think that is how people feel about Boabby. People like him. They are awful fond of him. He's not a bad guy, Boabby. He tries to be gruff and show off now and again, but people realise he's actually quite pathetic and soft.
He has a heart of gold. Boabby would take a bullet for Jack and Victor. He looks after Isa. If anything happens in the community, he is there to protect people. He is a good guy really.
Are there any items from Boabby's wardrobe you would like to keep?
[Mitchell makes a lion-like growl, flicking the tumbling tresses of Boabby's wig] Well, I'll miss this. Boabby's outfits? He's got terrible dress sense. I'll take some tea towels for the house, obviously. Maybe some of this gorgeous jewellery.
There's a couple of wee things from The Clansman I've got my eye on. My Nolans mug is my prized possession. I love that mug. I'm a big David Bowie fan and last year they brought in David Bowie mugs as a wee treat. I said: "Naw, I love that. But Boabby loves his Nolans mug …"
Are you happy with the Still Game ending Boabby has been given?
Yeah. That's all I can say. It is lovely. The boys [Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill] are amazing. They have taken care of everybody beautifully, I think.
They care about our audience, they care about us and they really, really care about those characters. What they have done is beautiful, clever, worthy and right.
Still Game begins on the new BBC Scotland channel next Sunday (February 24) at 9pm. Further episodes will be shown on Thursday nights at 10pm
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel