Greg’s times

Still Game star Greg Hemphill is coming to Kirkcaldy’s Adam Smith Theatre for an actor’s studio Q&A. Ahead of the May 25 event, he chats to Gayle Ritchie

Actor, wrestler, writer, comedian – Greg Hemphill is a man of many talents. Best known for playing pensioner Victor McDade in cult BBC Scotland TV series Still Game, Greg created the legendary show alongside fellow actor Ford Kiernan in 2002.

The BAFTA award-winning sitcom follows Victor and best friend Jack Jarvis – characters who appeared in the pair’s previous sketch show Chewin’ The Fat – as they cope with the trials and tribulations of modern life in Glasgow.

When Greg, 48, comes to Kirkcaldy on Friday, he promises to give fans an insight into his life as an actor, writer and comedian.

“It won’t be a boring, stuffy lecture,” he says. “I want people to peep behind the curtain and see what’s involved with the making of a TV show.

“They’re either interested or looking to find their own way into the business. It’s a chance to impart some knowledge.”

When Still Game debuted at Edinburgh Festival Fringe more than two decades ago, its appeal was universal.

“It’s a show about three old guys sitting in front of a three-bar fire in a flat in Maryhill, and yet it appeals to everyone because young people’s relationship with old people is universal,” muses Greg.

“That’s one of the enduring things about Still Game. But if you’d told us 20 years ago we’d still be playing these characters now, we’d have thought it was hysterical.”

While wrestling fan Greg hopes there will be a ninth series of Still Game, that decision rests with the BBC.

“Ford and I love doing it, so if they ask us to do another one, we will,” he says.

“We have a lot of affection for the characters and cast members. We’ve known each other since we were in our early 20s and we’re lucky to have the opportunity to still be doing what we’re doing – some actors would kill for that.”

For Greg, the episode that stands out as his favourite is the one in which Winston wins – and then loses – money.

“I remember writing it and thinking, ‘Oh no, we’re going to get to the end of this episode and Winston’s going to be rich and that’s going to wreck his character’,” he recalls.

“If he’s got all this money then the audience won’t be able to root for him.’

“So, we had to take it off him. As he’s telling the story to Jack and Victor, he lashes out with his (prosthetic) leg, which flies out the window. The money is in his leg. When we were writing that, we were howling with laughter. An old guy losing £35,000? You shouldn’t really be laughing, but it’s hysterical.”

The Still Game live shows, in 2014 and earlier this year at Glasgow’s Hydro, were every fan’s dream, and Greg likens them to “fresh food” as opposed to “prepared” food.

“They’re such fun. You have a different relationship with the audience. They’re there for a good time. They know the characters. It feels like a big party,” he says.

“When we first did Still Game at the Edinburgh Festival, there were eight people in the audience. There were 10,000 at the Hydro.”

It won’t be a boring, stuffy lecture

It can take a while for Greg, who’s married to Balamory actress Julie Wilson Nimmo, to “become” Victor if there’s a long break between series.

“You can be a little bit out of sorts – you’re trying to remember how you walk and all that stuff. In terms of the Hydro, having the costume on is the greatest thing in the world. It feels like a suit of armour – a form of protection,” says Greg.

“As soon as you put it on, you can walk out in front of 10 or 100,000 people. The audience aren’t there to see Greg Hemphill – they’re there to see Victor, Jack, Bobby, Navid and Winston.

“If you asked any of us to do what comedian Kevin Bridges does, we’d run a mile because he’s up there as himself.

“We get to hide behind a disguise. On set, you trawl all those little mechanisms to play the character and when you do, it’s like meeting an old friend.”