I spent a few days after a relationship break up in Bath with Jedward
For sitcom Buffering, Iain Stirling drew on his past as a kids’ TV presenter. He and co-writer Steve Bugeja chatted to DANIELLE DE WOLFE
CHILDREN’S television has proved a springboard for all manner of telly talent over the years.
Whether it’s Phillip Schofield’s journey out of the Children’s BBC Broom Cupboard or SMTV’s Cat Deeley, who soared to stardom as a presenter on both sides of the Atlantic, the possibilities for progression are seemingly infinite – unless you’re the main character Iain in new ITV2 sitcom Buffering, that is.
Created by and starring comedian and Love Island narrator Iain Stirling, the six-part series was born, in part, from his own experience fronting Bafta-winning children’s series The Dog Ate My Homework.
“I had an Edinburgh Fringe show that revolved pretty heavily around my time on kids’ TV,” recalls Iain, 33, of Buffering’s origins.
“I think there was a story about me spending a few days in Bath with Jedward after I’d broken up with a girlfriend of four years, a week before Christmas. That was a very enjoyable experience for everyone concerned.”
Iain – who is married to Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore – joined forces with comedian Steve Bugeja to create Buffering.
“We wanted to articulate that bit in life where you’re in your late 20s – you’re too old to be going out partying and be carefree, but you’re not rich or old enough to get a mortgage and settle down,” says Steve, best known for his work on CelebAbility and The Russell Howard Hour.
Centred around Iain, a children’s TV presenter with an aversion to kids, his struggles – and those of his fellow housemates – the show reflects the feelings of a generation suffering from comparison culture.
“We grew up in a world of instant satisfaction for social media, and we had parents that were from that baby-boom generation, where they were told to have a family, settle down, earn a living,” says Iain. “They were very keen for us not to live that life, so they sold this idea of, ‘you can be whatever you want’. “We have this weird generation of people who were told they were special and could do whatever they wanted to do, and then they went into an office and were told to sit over there and make coffees and photocopy stuff, and it was a massive hit to the ego,” he adds. Buffering starts with Iain fresh out of an on-off relationship with producer Olivia – played by Killing Eve’s Elena Saurel. “On paper, his life is quite good,” explains Iain, “but there’s something deep down inside that’s bothering him... I don’t think he’s got the social tools to articulate that discomfort.” The comedian notes the character is “basically me, but younger – and now, because of lockdown, me but younger and thinner.” Add a host of celebrity cameos from the likes of Joel Dommett and Vicky Pattison, and Buffering promises to be compulsive viewing. Buffering premieres with a double episode on ITV2 on Thursday at 10pm. All episodes will then be available on ITV Hub