The BBC Scotland series Rab C Nesbitt ran for a whole 10 seasons, spanning throughout the 90s as well as a few returns in the 10s.
Beginning life as a recurring character in the sketch series Naked Video, Rab - along with his friends and family, entertained the country in a programme which probably wouldn’t be aired the same way in 2022.
Led by Rab, an alcoholic Glaswegian who chose unemployment as a lifestyle, the show featured some storylines and jokes that would never make the cut today. Since the show was last on our screens in 2014, some of the cast have gone on to have great success on the stage and screen, some have retired, and a few are no longer with us.
Here’s what the lead actors have been up to since we last saw them.
Gregor Fisher
After hanging up his string vest, Gregor went on to star as Joe in the Christmas favourite Love Actually.
A few years later, he starred as Grandpa Potts in a three-month run of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang right here in Edinburgh. In 2008, he reprised his role as Rab C Nesbitt for a Christmas special - before starring in two more seasons in 2010 and a one off special in 2014.
Just last year Gregor joined the cast of the sitcom The Cokfields. He filled the role of Ray after Bobby Ball, who originated the role, passed away.
If you wanted to know more about Gregor’s life, his autobiography The Boy From Nowhere was published in 2015.
Elaine C Smith
Also starring in the Naked Video before going on to Rab C Nesbitt, the actress behind Mary Doll has had a flourishing career since the show ended.
Featuring in several BBC dramas, Elaine has also featured in several theatre productions including Calendar Girls, Annie, and the musical interpretation of Susan Boyle’s life - I Dreamed a Dream.
She’s no stranger to the stage, also a regular in the pantomime world - starring in performances such as Aladdin, Mother Goose, and Sleeping Beauty. More recently Smith is best known for playing Christine in the BBC series Two Doors Down, for which she won a BAFTA in 2018.
Tony Roper
The man behind Jamesie, Rab’s partner-in-crime, is also a renowned playwright.
Known mainly for The Steamie, for which he also won a BAFTA, he co-wrote the play Rikki and Me, as well as The Celts in Seville. In 2008, he was given an honorary degree by Abertay University.
In 2013, Tony made headlines after speaking publicly about his prostate cancer diagnosis. After receiving treatment, he was soon given the all clear.
In 2020, the actor admitted he had ‘no intention’ of returning to stage or screen. He told the Daily Record: “To all intents and purposes I have retired and have no intention of going back on the stage or the TV screen but I will never say never.
“Let’s just say I’m keeping a teeny tiny door open just a crack but can’t see me ever flinging it wide again. I enjoyed every second of it, but to be honest I’ve never bothered my bum about being an actor - it was just a job and a means to an end.
“I’m quite happy to bond with the sofa and binge-watch my way through crap TV programmes. I’ve enough money to last till I pop off.”
Eric Cullen
After filling the role of Wee Burney in the initial three seasons of Rab C Nesbitt, Eric left the show due to personal problems and ill health.
In 1993, shortly after leaving the show, the actor was arrested for the possession of child pornography - with his own history of being sexually abused since the age of 13 brought to light. His nine-month prison sentence was reduced to three years probation, and although he was offered acting roles again Erin dedicated himself to campaigning against child pornography.
Eric passed away in August of 1996, following a fatal heart attack after surgery for a twisted bowel.
Barbara Rafferty
Barbara played Mary Doll’s partner at The House Mice, Ella.
The actress has gone on to have huge success in roles on both stage and screen, featuring in River City as Shirley Henderson since 2018. In the popular 2006 film The Last King of Scotland, Barbara starred as Mrs Garrigan.
She’s also graced the stage in Cinderella, alongside Elaine C Smith in Aberdeen. This year, the second season of BBC Scotland The Scotts is set for filming - in which Barbara stars as Moira.
Brian Pettifer
Typically seen propping up the bar in Rab C Nesbitt, Brian filled the role of Andra - one of Rab’s best friends.
The actor has a long list of film credits, including Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Vanity Fair, and Lassie. In 2021, he starred in The Last Bus, in which an elderly man travels the length of Britain to scatter his wife’s ashes.
Andrew Fairlie
After starring as Rab’s son Gash and appearing in The Tales of Para Handy, Andrew stepped away from the limelight.
When asked to appear in the reboot of the show in the late 00s, Fairlie declined and committed himself to his studies. At the time, he was training to be a teacher at Jordanhill College.
Producer and director of Rab C Nisbett, Colin Gilbert, said at the time: “Andrew hasn’t worked in the business for 10 years. He swithered long and hard over it but in the end I think he made the right decision for him.”
Since 2009, little is known about Andrew - though it’s likely he stuck to teaching.
Ian McColl
The man behind Dodie, another of Rab’s gang, died in 2013 following complications for a cancer diagnosis.
McColl had featured in numerous television shows, including Hamish Mabeth, Still Game and Taggart. He even had a role in the 2002 film Gangs of New York, directed by Martin Scorsese.
His Rab C Nesbitt co-star, Tony Roper, paid tribute to the actor: “Iain was a very fine comedic actor who had quite a lot of success in his life. His style was unique.
“He’d stand at the corner of the bar and fire off stupid observations but always got a laugh because he delivered them superbly.”
David McKay
Playing Rab’s nephew until 1997 in the show, McKay is also known for directing several TV shows such as The Basil Brush Show, My Parents Are Aliens, and High Times.
In April 2005, David was involved in a motorcycle accident near Rutherglen. He was rushed to Glasgow’s Victoria Infirmary, where he lay in a coma for several weeks. After making a recovery, he was back to directing.
The actor also plays guitar for a Glasgow based rock band, Superunknown.
