He went from Westwood to Hollywood, but actor John Hannah says he “wouldn’t swap a second” of his childhood with children today.
Looking back on his upbringing with great fondness as the town turns 75, one of East Kilbride’s most famous sons shared memories of the “brave new world of the New Town”.
“I loved my upbringing and neighbourhood”, said the Four Weddings and a Funeral, Sliding Doors and Spartacus star.
“The adventures, the schools, the brave new world of the New Town.
“I think my parents, moving to that environment from a Gorbals tenement to back and front garden must’ve been bliss.
“They certainly had a good time.”
John grew up in a Murray council house in Chalmers Drive with his sisters, Joan and Elizabeth, and now lives in London with his wife, Danish actress Joanna Roth, and their two children.
2015 he bid an emotional farewell to his childhood home following the death of his dad John Sr, followed by his mum Susan.
John, 59, added: “It’s been a long time now, and a while since I’ve been back. My own kids are going through school in London.
“I wouldn’t swap a second with children today. You can keep your Internet, give me conkers and crossy, two-man hunt and bulldog.
“Oh and a game we played called Best Man's Fall - now that might be my first connection to acting.
“One person is ‘in’ and everyone takes a turn to choose a form of death i.e. machine gun, spear through the neck etc... runs forward, gets killed and dies. One after the other. The ‘in’ person chooses the best and that person is then ‘in’.
“Now wherever I’ve been no one else has ever heard of it, neither in EK or anyone else, so is this a Chalmers Drive game or…?”
“Anyway I wouldn’t change a minute of it. Keep your PlayStation - get outside and play!
“Course it’s a different world now isn’t it. Happy days.”
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