Still Game role for talk show host Ferguson
Former US talk show host Craig Ferguson is to return to Scottish TV for the first time in 25 years with an appearance in Still Game.
The Glasgow-born comedian presented the Late Late Show for more than a decade, becoming one of the highest paid hosts in the country.
He continues to present US game shows but said he is delighted to return to Scotland for an appearance in one of his favourite programmes, the latest series of which started filming last week.
Ferguson told the Sunday Times Scotland: “My ambitions are more about doing stuff that’s fun so my first television work in Scotland in 25 years is later this year and it’s because Ford [Kiernan] and Greg [Hemphill] sent me a script for Still Game, and I’m going to do an episode because it’s just hilarious.”
Before moving to the US, Ferguson appeared in British TV shows such as One Foot In The Grave in the 1990s.
He also acted in a number of US programmes before winning the host role on the Late Late Show.
The 55-year-old decided to step down at the end of 2014, with James Corden taking over the role.
Ferguson said he cannot reveal details of his Still Game role but is delighted to be part of it.
The hit comedy is returning to the BBC later this year, with filming under way at its Dumbarton studio and locations around Glasgow.
Ferguson said: “I’m not allowed to tell you what I’m doing, I’m not allowed to tell anybody and of course I understand that, but – Jesus Christ – it is so funny.
“Ilovedchewin’thefatandi love Still Game, so I’m delighted to be part of that.”
Ferguson said he never intended to be away from Scotland for so long.
“One thing led to another and I ended up staying over in America,” he said.
“I have very fond memories of Edinburgh, I loved doing it Craig Ferguson, above, will join Greg Hemphill and Ford Kiernan, left, in Still Game and it was a big part of my life. Everything I have done professionally comes down to the creative atmosphere in the west end of Glasgow and the Edinburgh Festival. It’s everything I am and it comes from these two places.”
The star said he has made enough money to pick and choose his projects.
He said: “Twenty-four years ago I was trying to make my name, make money. I did that and now I want to do stuff that I think is good and funny but you know when you are trying to earn a living you end up doing jobs that afterwards you think, well that was more of a financial decision, which would make me just like everybody else.”