The Council star Davey falls ill as show begins

Sadness at blow to top character of new BBC hit following Fife workers

Success of a documentary following frontline Fife Council workers has been tinged with sadness as it emerged one of its stars had fallen ill.

Motorhead fan Davey, a house-bound tenant who was “chuffed tae bits” as he was shown his new home in The Council, was admitted to hospital as the first episode aired.

It was unclear whether he saw his moment in the limelight on the BBC One documentary before he fell ill at his Methilhill home on Wednesday evening.

The 60-year-old, who suffers from osteoarthritis, deep vein thrombosis and emphysema, proved a colourful character in the first instalment of the threepart series about council employees.

As well as showing how occupational therapist Diane found a sheltered bungalow for Davey, the episode saw housing officer Karen wade through rubbish and cat faeces in an abandoned house in Glenrothes’ Collydean area.

It also featured community learning and development team leader JP Easton as he helped residents of the town’s deprived Macedonia precinct decide how to spend a £10,000 grant.

The episode saw the community benefit from redecoration of the stairwell in its maisonette flats.

It also screened a public meeting where people voted to spend the cash on a green gym, new goalposts, play equipment and a community orchard – which have all materialised since filming took place early this year.

JP, 51, of Kinghorn, said: “Next year or the year after people will be able to walk through Macedonia and pick apples and plums from the trees.”

He has received a deluge of messages since his starring role in the first of three episodes focusing on the frontline services of Fife Council.

He said: “I was dreading how it was going to look and how I was going to come across.

“I didn’t want to come across too much like David Brent and I didn’t want to let the people of Macedonia or my colleagues down by looking like a wally but the feedback has been so good. It’s been totally worthwhile.”

Council leader David Ross praised the employees who appeared in an “absolutely fascinating” show.

He said: “I thought our staff came across very positively as caring and committed, even in difficult circumstances. Time and again, the programme shone a light on the issues councils face.

“It’s well known that across Scotland, as well as in Fife, we have a shortage of housing, a roads maintenance backlog and areas in need of regeneration.

“We have a large budget but not enough to do everything we’d like and keep delivering all the same services in the same way.”

Mr Ross is to answer questions about the documentary and community influence on spending in a chat on Fife Council’s Facebook page on Friday between 12pm and 1pm.

Questions can be left in advance by marking posts, tweets or emails #cllrQs #thecouncil.