ROPER RETIRES
CHe’s a comedy hero to generations for Rab C Nesbitt and Scotch & Wry. As the writer of one of our best-loved plays packs it in, he has written a letter to his younger self BY HEATHER GREENAWAY h.greenaway@dailyrecord.co.uk
OMEDY legend Tony Roper has retired from showbusiness and has no intention of going back on the stage or appearing on television again.
The actor and writer, famed for creating much-loved play The Steamie, turns 80 next year, and says now is the time to “bond” with his sofa, binge watch TV and learn a new instrument.
Although he has put his showbiz days behind him, he admitted he will never officially retire and would consider the right comeback – at the right price.
Tony, who played Jamesie Cotter in BBC comedy Rab C Nesbitt across 26 years, said: “To all intents and purposes I have retired and have no intention of going back on the stage or the TV screen but I will never say never.
“If someone came along and said, ‘I would give you a load of cash to do this,’ or make a Marlon Brando-style cameo then I would be a fool to say no but at present and with the current Covid climate, it is highly unlikely.
“Let’s just say I’m keeping a teeny tiny door open just a crack but can’t see me ever flinging it wide again.”
Tony has no regrets about his decision. He said: “I came into showbusiness late. I was 27 when I joined the ranks of the thespians.
“I enjoyed every second of it but to be honest I’ve never bothered my bum about being an actor.
“It was just a job and a means to an end. It wasn’t my vocation. Although I loved it, I don’t miss any of it. I don’t miss acting. I don’t miss writing.
“I will always be a creative person but now I express it through my painting and learning to play the harmonica.
“I’m quite happy to bond with the sofa and binge watch my way through crap TV programmes. I’ve enough money to last till I pop off. I don’t need fancy cars and I have enough suits.
“Seeing The Steamie fill the Hydro last year was one of the happiest moments of my life.
“I had written something that had stood the test of time and made audiences laugh. What more could I want? I’ve been a very lucky man.”
Tony worked as a brickie, a delivery driver, a shipyard labourer and a miner before finding TV fame, first in Scotch & Wry and then in Naked Video, Rab C Nesbitt and the first incarnation of Only An Excuse.
He looks on every day as a bonus after surviving cancer diagnosed seven years ago. Since then he has promoted the work of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Friday is the 30th anniversary of the charity’s famous fundraising coffee morning and to mark the occasion, Tony has written a letter to himself 30 years ago, full of the wisdom his 49-year-old-self needed to hear…
I WAS diagnosed with prostate cancer. Ask anyone who has had it confirmed that they have cancer, and they’ll tell you the same story. It is very hard to come to terms with.
“However, my cancer was cured thanks to an army of health workers.
Since then I’ve had those same people to be grateful for as other ailments befell me that required special treatment from special people.
“Today my life is beset by chronic pain that won’t go away and gets a bit worse with every year that passes.
“So, my younger self here’s how it will go for the next 30 years. You’ll still have good times, bad times. Humankind will exhilarate you and exasperate you, they will betray you and befriend you.
“In short, nothing will change apart from the technology of living your allotted time. Enjoy it as much as you can and don’t let it get you down. Ever.
As Covid has put paid to the traditional coffee morning, Tony will join other celebs including Fearne Cotton and Naomi Harris in raising a mug to Macmillan and encouraging folk to sign up for a run or cycle to raise cash.
Tony said: “Macmillan is a lifeline for so many people and their families. It’s a comfort to know that as soon as you are diagnosed there is someone there for you. Fortunately I did not get sick enough to need their services.
“My diagnosis was a massive shock. I had a routine check and wasn’t expecting to hear anything more. Then the doctor dropped the bombshell.
“I will never forget the fear that enveloped me. A couple of years ago I tried to capture that awful moment in a painting. My self-portrait says it all – rabbit caught in the headlights.”g
He added: “I had the choice of radiotherapy and chemotherapy or an op to removeve the cancer. I chose the latter as I didn’t want to miss the filming of the Rab C Nesbitt Christmas special.
“I thought it was best if the surgeon just cut it all out and threw it in the Clyde and that’s what he did.”
Not long after his diagnosis, Tony proposed to his partner. He said: “I’d been with Isobel for nearly 40 years but we had never seen the need to tie the knot. With cancer looming over me I asked her if she would like to be my possible widow and she said yes.
“Marrying my wife was one of the best things I ever did. It’s fair to say Isobel is my greatest achievement. I’ve had a great life and, fortunately, it’s not over yet.”
He added: “There are always going to be ups and downs in life but s*** is going to happen as well as the nice things. I’ve always looked on the bright side, which is a cowards way out I suppose, as it stops you focusing on the bad things.
“You have two wo choices, you can an worry about it or not worry about ut it – either way the he outcome is the same so why worry? rry?
“Cancer taughtht me to live every dayay like it’s a gift and that’s what I plan to do.”
For more info,o, visit coffee. macmillan. llan. org. uk or call cal l 0330 102 7810.