Cox reprises Servant role to issue some words of wisdom

Beloved character offers his typically forthright take on tackling crisis

Brian Cox has made a sensational return as iconic Dundee character Bob Servant to issue some strongly worded advice on the coronavirus crisis.

The world-famous Dundonian, who now lives in New York, fetched out his old fake moustache for the clip, which has been shared widely on Twitter.

Speaking from his “much-admired extension on the Dundee riviera”, he says the number one rule is to stay at home.

He advises the public should keep at least two metres apart which, according to the cheeseburger tycoon, is “roughly the wingspan of a German shepherd”.

He said: “Now obviously the great tragedy of this rule is that means no piggy-backs, no matter who’s asking.

“I like to use water (to wash my hands) as I imagine it’s the tears of my enemies but each to their own. How long do you wash them for? If you recite the principal cast list of Take The High Road then that’s pretty much bang on.

“But make sure it’s only the principal cast. The show ran for 23 years, if you do the whole team then your hands will turn into prunes.

“Other than that, look after yourself. Hang in there, have a cheeseburger and stay in the hoose.

“We’ll get through this together. Your servant, Bob Servant.”

The character was created by Dundee High School alumni Neil Forsyth, who wrote four popular books featuring the bumbling Broughty Ferry businessman.

The books were adapted for TV and turned into a hit BBC sitcom in 2010.

It starred Cox, now the main character in hugely popular HBO series Succession.

Bob Servant lives on through a dedicated Twitter account, which shared the video.

It features typically bizarre but

“We’ll get through this together. BOB SERVANT AKA BRIAN COX

comedic daily musings and has garnered a big following of more than 60,000 people.

Mr Forsyth said: “I was contacted by a campaign group working with the Scottish Government asking if we could do a Bob video.

“I spoke to Brian, who is holed up in upstate New York, and it was great fun putting it together, though he’s still not explained why he happened to have a false moustache to hand.”

Brian Cox as Bob Servant issuing advice on staying safe during the coronavirus crisis, including unorthodox measures of time and distance involving German shepherds and Take The High Road.