The Scottish Sun – 3rd October, 2011

Going gets toff … Richard plays Tory MP held hostage by the Nesbitts

RAB C Nesbitt returns on Wednesday night — 25 years after the character first appeared on screen.

The Scottish Sun has been celebrating the landmark with a special series. Here, MARC DEANIE speaks to the show’s latest guest star…

POSH movie star Richard E Grant has fulfilled a dream after bagging a starring role in the latest Rab C Nesbitt series.

But his debut in the iconic TV comedy comes over two DECADES after he begged show bosses to cast him in sketch show Naked Video — where Rab first appeared 25 years ago.

The Withnail and I actor makes a guest appearance in the first episode of the new series as the Government’s minister for work, Chingford Steel.

Richard, 54, admits he was desperate to be cast as the string-vested philosopher’s brother so he wouldn’t be type-cast as a toff but the show’s producers knocked back his requests.

He said: “I’ve been a fan of the show since the beginning. It’s absolutely incredible that it’s still going strong. I remember seeing it all those years ago on Naked Video and it was hilarious.”

“I’ve followed it ever since. And when I was asked to be in it, I didn’t hesitate. The call has been a long time coming, though! I wanted to play Rab’s brother 20 years ago but it never happened.”

South African-born Richard admits he also jumped at the Rab C offer to impress wife Joan who’s from Aberdeen. He said: “She’s Scottish so was thrilled. Straight away she said, ‘You’ve got to go’.

“I didn’t need persuading — it was a simple decision for me.

“I don’t know who they asked before me or who they ideally wanted. I just didn’t ask any questions. Joan’s followed the show right from the start too.”

Saving vest till last … Richard wanted to star as Rab’s brother

“She’s always been amazed that Rab’s accent is so thick, yet people south of the border actually get it. It’s a huge hit in England and there are no complicated reasons behind its success. It’s just really good comedy.”

Richard admits he is nothing like Govan deadbeat Rab. He is tee-total because he’s ALLERGIC to alcohol. But he reckons the cult comedy has survived because of Rab’s boozing and his volatile relationship with Mary Doll.

LEFT: Classic … Richard stars in cult movie Withnail and I

He said: “It’s an important story about marriage and anyone who’s been in a relationship for any length of time can relate to it.

“It’s real life — it’s what happens to people. I think there is a Rab C Nesbitt in every culture in every country.”

Richard’s character visits Govan on a tour of the country before being taken HOSTAGE by Mary. She is fuming because the cleaning business she ran with Ella — called The House Mice — has gone bust.

The Conservative politician is captured after Rab’s long-suffering wife smacks him over the head with a frying pan. And London-based Richard admits his character is horrible.

He said: “I play a horrible Tory, which was interesting, because since the expenses scandal the standing of politicians hasn’t been great.”

“I didn’t base my guy on any particular horrible Tory but you can take your pick.”

The hilarious scenes — which viewers will see on Wednesday night — see the minister activate his panic alarm to alert cops he’s in trouble.

But Rab and Mary know they will be arrested as soon as they let him go so they decide to keep him. And the hostage situation sparks a full-scale siege when the cop in charge mistakes Rab and Mary for TERRORISTS. The Old Bill start negotiating a ransom with the Nesbitts but the pair don’t demand cash. They ask for a heated towel rail and a better local bus service.

The military and the SAS are called in to help cops but the stand-off ends when Rab and Steel start bonding over a shared medical condition.

Richard added: “Gregor’s got the part of Rab nailed down. He’s perfect. It was a pleasure to work with him and Elaine. They play it so truthfully and are so completely believable.”

“I’ve known Elaine for some years and we’ve worked together in the past. But I hadn’t met Gregor and we had some great laughs.”

“Gregor and Elaine have been working together for years but they made it very easy for me to fit in beside them.”

GOSFORD Park star Richard ran into superstar songbird Susan Boyle during filming — and revealed he was STARSTRUCK by the Britain’s Got Talent singer.

He said: “Susan was brilliant and I got my picture taken with her. She was so down to earth and without any ego considering the fame that’s happened to her and the money she’s made in such a short space of time.”

“She was delightful — a really nice woman.”

Rab C pulls big names

GREGORY’S Girl star JOHN GORDON SINCLAIR is among the big names who’ve starred in Rab C over the years. He played a GIRL called Candy in last year’s episodes, while funnyman KEVIN BRIDGES played Mambo — a dolphin-obsessed Govan eccentric.

Former Doctor Who DAVID TENNANT was an unknown when he appeared in the third series as transvestite barmaid Davina, as was Ugly Betty star ASHLEY JENSEN when she played a teenage tease.

Still Game’s GREG HEMPHILL and FORD KIERNAN started their careers on the show, while Trial and Retribution’s DAVID HAYMAN has also appeared.

Rab C Nesbitt is on BBC2 Scotland, Wednesday, at 10pm.