FORD KIERNAN TALKS ABOUT THE AGONY HE ENDURED AFTER STILL GAME LIVE SHOW

Exclusive
Beverley Lyons
STILL Game’s Ford Kiernan has spoken for the first time about the agony and pain he endured before having to go under the surgeons knife following his last run of shows at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro.
The comedian and actor who will star as Jack alongside Greg Hemphill’s Victor as well as actors including Jane McCarry, Paul Riley, and Sanjeev Kohli in Still Game Live: The Final Farewell stage show from September 27 until October 13, endured a complex back operation following his run of shows in 2017.
Asked about any luxuries he’d indulged in since having success with his comedy, Ford said: “The starriest thing that I’ve done is that I had two of my vertebrae removed and never waited on the National Health to give me a date for it. I went round the corner to the Nuffield and I got them to whip it out and that’s something I couldn’t have done if I hadn’t been working on the telly. It was my lower back, vertebrae five and six.”
Ford said the operation took place following his last sell out run of Still Game: Bon Voyage shows at the SSE Hydro in February 2017. And he revealed he couldn’t go on stage without receiving medical treatment before each performance.
He added: “And it was just after I finished the Hydro in 2017. I was getting a cortisone injection into my spine in 2017 before every single show.”
Showing off the scar at the base of his back he added: ”Put it this way, before I got into Chewing the Fat they’d say ‘You know who would be ideal for this?’ - Stretch Kiernan. I did the damage lifting barrels off the back of a van when I was twenty one.”
Greg laughed: “The truth of the matter is there was nothing wrong with Ford back then. It was just a Daniel Day Lewis thing. I was slouching and he was committed to be the wee one and took two vertebrae out and that is commitment.”
Ford and Greg will be saying farewell to their beloved TV and stage characters following their final bout of stage shows in Glasgow.
Greg said: ”It’s one of my favourite things going to the Hydro to do the show and it’s great fun and it feels like the end of the road. It took us six or seven months to write it, to make sure it was a fitting show, picking up where the tv show left off. It’s like getting to be a rockstar for fifteen nights and it’s pretty cool. We’re not doing the Eagles. It’s the end.”
Ford said: “People say ‘Is it the same show as before?’ but we’ve written a brand new show because it’s the finale with the big splash at the end. In the last TV episode Jack and Victor walked into the mist and they were gone. It’s all down to interpretation. If you think they are dead you might get a surprise either way. If we were designing a funeral for Jack and Victor it would be a pire.”
Greg said: “Don’t say we killed them. Maybe we differ on this. My feeling is they live their life full. I don’t think anyone would invite 150 thousand people into an arena to make them cry. I think you can’t kill them off. It would be too sad. Jack and Victor have always been about life and living it to the full.”
Following the run, both men say they want to spend more time with their families.
Greg said: ”I’m celebrating my twentieth wedding anniversary in a week and I remember buying my mum and dad a gift for theirs. It’s really freaking me out. Twenty five is silver, fifty is gold and forty is ruby. There’s other things we want to do together down the line, together and separately.”
Ford added: “We’ve got a body of actors here who are dynamite and phenomenal not just for comedy bit for everything which we are extremely lucky to have. I’d be surprised if we don’t bump into them in some professional capacity in the future.” 

111 BY NICO DELIVERS WITH A TREAT OF A TEN COURSE TASTING MENU

A ten course tasting menu is the stuff of dreams when you’re a foodie like me and I was thrilled to try out the 

brand new menu at 111 By Nico. 

With high style, and a unique sense of whimsy, the new ten-course tasting menu which launched on Friday September 6th will only be available every Friday and Saturday in the restaurant located at Cleveden Road in Glasgow's Kelvinside. 

Each dish was suitably different but combined well to make you feel full and satisfied at the end and not overly stuffed. 

Amongst my favourites were the duck liver parfait delivered in a golden egg presented on its own nest of straw and grass which was suitably moreish.

The sole was also a must try with orange instead of lemon delivering citrusy notes on a creamy shellfish bisque. It was light and frothy. 

I also enjoyed the white polenta which was akin to a mushroom risotto with a taste of truffle and aged parmesan. It was rich but the smaller portion size meant it wasn’t overbearing. 

The desserts were delicious and special mention goes to the gingerbread and cheese combo which was classily candied with nuts and fruits. 

Chef Nico Simeone said;

"At 111 by Nico it has always been important for us to offer an affordable dining experience without compromising on taste or portion size and the new ten-course tasting menu will take it one step further, elevate our TRUST offering and showcase some extra special food for guests to enjoy every Friday and Saturday."

Dishes on the ten-course menu include Potato Terrine - Black Garlic Emulsion, Ewes Cheese; Golden Egg - Duck Liver Parfait, Yellow Peach Comote, Brioche Espuma;

 Mackerel - Cucumber, Greengage, Elderflower, Dill & Buttermilk; Beef Tartare - Oyster Emulsion, Crisp Tongue, Pickled Shallot; White Polenta - Aged Parmesan, Chestnut Mushroom, Truffle; Sole - Orange, Braised Fennel, Shellfish Bisque; 

Lamb Flank - Tomato Compote, Olive, Ricotta, Artichoke Barigole; Turnworth - Spiced Ginger Bread, Golden Raisin, Candied Walnut; White Peach - Woodruff Cream, Almond, Peach Consommé and Strawberry - Yoghurt & Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich. 

Nico continues:

"We want to constantly push boundaries with our food concepts and we believe 111 by Nico is like a fine wine – it gets better with age. This new ten course menu is a perfect showcase for our chef's creations and of course, the challenge now is that we have to deliver for our guests".

The ten-course menu offering will sit alongside the restaurants much-loved TRUST tasting menu - an immersive experience where guests choose from a list of 12 ingredients. 

Never the same dinner twice, 111 by Nico's TRUST menu begins with an amuse bouche highlighting local ingredients, then guests enjoy individual courses such as pasta, lamb, asparagus or fish - the options are endless. The six course tasting menu ends on a sweet note with a decadent dessert and available at 111 by Nico every Tuesday - Thursday and all day Sunday. 

111 by Nico has cemented itself as a restaurant brand with an ever changing innovating dining experience, not scared to make changes and cut through the noise. The ten-course tasting menu is priced at £40 per person with a matching wine flight priced at £35 and available every Friday and Saturday only.  . 

BGT CHAMPION JAI MCDOWALL UNDERWENT GRUELLING CIRCUS TRAINING AHEAD OF SHOW

JAI McDowall proved to be the Greatest Showman when he appeared on BGT The Champions at the weekend. 

And now we can reveal that the Ayrshire born singer underwent special training at the circus to build his confidence ahead of the show. 

As well as having knives thrown at him, and limboing under fire, Jai also took part in Zippos Globe of Death where he stood while two 125cc scrambler bikes circled his head. 

He said: “I was very nervous the first time I took part in BGT and the judges even remarked that my knees were knocking together as I performed. This time round I wanted to make sure that I’d be confident so I got some extra special training at the circus. 

He laughed: “I figured that nothing would be worse than staring death in the face.”

Jai wowed the audience with a moving performance of I’ll Never Love Again during the weekend’s talent contest and even received a standing ovation from Simon Cowell. 

Simon apologised to the Scots star for writing him off eight years ago after he won the show and proclaimed: “So, 2011. I remember my issue at the time was I was struggling to find out where you fit into the market," Simon told Jai. 

"The fact that I never gave you support during or after the show and you have the guts to come back and prove a point to me: you've grown in stature and in confidence and that was an amazing performance.

"I owe you an apology for not giving you the support you needed at the time, but I also respect the fact you've come back and made me look like an idiot and you look fantastic.

"I could not be more thrilled so here's the standing ovation I should have given you."

Jai has been inundated with calls since the show and was even approached by Hollywood producers to star in a big movie. 

A spokesperson for the star said: "Jai is in talks about lots of future projects and there is s lot of interest in him taking on some acting roles, He has also received a request from Susan Boyleto join him on tour this March."

GLASGOW CROWNE PLAZA CELEBRATES THIRTY YEARS WITH SHOP GIVEAWAY

Beverley Lyons
GLASGOW’S Crowne Plaza hotel is celebrating its thirtieth birthday by offering one Glasgow punter the chance to set up a brand new business in its foyer for free.
The acclaimed hotel on Glasgow’s Clydeside will be celebrating 30 years since being erected in September 1989 and wanted to give something back to the community that has supported it throughout the years.
As well as marking the occasion with a big party next month, management wanted to make a more long lasting commitment to one hardworking Scot.
Manager Jason Dombrower, who took over running the hotel ten months ago, said the new business will take pride of place beside the hotel’s reception desk in the former gift shop.
And he’s looking for budding entrepreneurs to come up with an interesting idea for the space measuring 7.25m x 4m in exchange for the chance to make it a reality, rent free for twelve months.
Jason, 48, who is originally from Canada explained: “It’s important to celebrate our 30th birthday and reflect the creative thinking we have at the hotel. Since I came here ten months ago we’ve put an emphasis on service and teamwork to ensure our customer comes first.
“We have a small shop which is leaving us at the end of this month (August)  and we want to give away the space and utilities to a fledgling entrepreneur who may have an idea for a business and may not yet be able to pay rent.
“In the States in the 1920s, I read that landlords used to give space away to help support the local community.
“We’re looking for ideas of what people would like to do with the shop and we will select the winner through a Dragons Den style scenario at the end of next month.  “Maybe someone wants to run a cool barber shop or sell glorious Glasgow cupcakes or some other trendy or funky shop idea. Our overall goal is to take care of guests and team members and help a new entrepreneur to build a business for success.
If the individual then wants to stay on after twelve months we can make an arrangement from that point.”
The shop space will be a blank canvas and Jason and his staff only require potential operators to submit a helicopter view of the business idea and what it might look like.
The new business will be selected by a panel after September with a view to opening at the start of January.
Jason said: “Turning thirty is a real milestone for the hotel and the building has witnessed a huge amount of events and moments over the years. We have hosted everyone from royalty and rockstars to regular customers who appreciate our special atmosphere and accommodation.
Jason added: “The hotel changed physically since it was built as The Forum following the Glasgow Garden Festival and also since it was run as The Moat House.  We have recently refurbished some rooms as well as our leisure facilities and are constantly upgrading with plans to update our ballroom in 2020. Work is ongoing.”
Our location means we are a centrepiece of the Glasgow music scene and a hub of activity by Finnieston and the Clydeside.
Our anniversary plans will also include a special 80’s theme party to thank some of the people who have helped us over the years.”
Submissions of business ideas should be sent to CrownePlazaGlasgowShop@gmail.com by September 21 2019.
ENDS

CORRIE ACTRESS HELEN FLANAGAN ALLERGIC TO CURRY

CORRIE actress Helen Flanagan has revealed that eating curry causes her face to swell up.
The Celtic wag also claims that drinking cow’s milk could be to blame for her acne outbreaks.
Soap star Helen, 29, lifted the lid on her dietary woes online.
The glamorous celeb who shares two children with fiancee, Hoops winger Scott Sinclair, was commenting on the results of a food intolerance test that highlighted her sensitivities.
She said: “My results came back showing that I am intolerant to cows milk! I’ve always suspected I was but it’s nice to have it finally confirmed.
“I’ve suffered with acne on and off for years and always worried if cows milk aggravated my skin.
“I was interested to see I had an intolerance to kale and curry leaves\ powder my face is always puffy the day after I have been out for a curry.”
Helen also posted a picture of her full results from food intolerance company YorkTest Laboratories.
Her other main trigger foods are crustaceans including lobsters, prawns and crabs, cardamom and bay leaves.
Chia seeds, turmeric, lemongrass, spirulina, dandelion and burdock and chardonnay wine grapes were also flagged as causing her a reaction.
Earlier this week mum-of-two Helen – who has daughters Matilda, four, and one-year-old Delilah with Celtic star Sinclair – went into more details about her eating regime.
She said: "We all have different body shapes and we should all celebrate and love our bodies."
The Coronation Street star, who played Rosie Webster on the famous cobbles before taking maternity leave last year, said she starts the day with porridge and coconut milk, snacks on hummus and crackers and eats fish, pasta and rice for her evening meals.

NATIONAL BEER DAY BRINGS EXTRA FROTH TO GLASGOW AND BEYOND

IT’S National Drink Beer Day this Saturday and to celebrate we’ve compiled a list of facts about one of our favourite drinks.

1. In ancient Egypt, beer was traditionally brewed by women. Beer soup was also a popular breakfast dish in medieval Britain and was often made with beer and cheese.

2. President Obama was the very first president to brew his own beer on White House grounds. The White House Honey Porter and White House Honey Ale were brewed using honey produced in beehives at the White House.

3.  For more than 5,000 years beer has been brewed in Scotland and there are currently more than 150 breweries in Scotland producing around 2,000 regular beers and thousands more special event beers.

4. This Saturday Dakhin South Indian restaurant in Candleriggs Glasgow which also celebrates its fifteenth birthday this month has partnered with Kingfisher beer to give a free pint with every main dish ordered from its menu. Just quote ‘15th birthday’ when you book a table.

5. In 2013, Germany built a 5km beer pipeline to the Veltins-Arena, a major football stadium in the city of Gelsenkirchen. There is a Thor Beer pipeline in Randers, Denmark and the Halve Maan Brewery opened one in Bruges, Belgium.

6. Beer has been around for so long that the moon even has a crater named Beer. Beer is the world’s oldest and most widely consumed alcoholic drink and the third most popular drink – after water and tea.

7. Cenosillicaphobia is the fear of an empty beer glass. Obviously ‘the fear’ can come  from an beer glass too. The world's longest hangover lasted four weeks after a Scotsman consumed 60 pints of beer.

8.Stanford researchers found that beer bubbles create a gravity-defying loop. Bubbles head up in the center where frictional drag from the glass is less and moves down on the outside as the top gets crowded.

KAREN GILLAN IN TALKS WITH STEVEN MOFFAT FOR NEW PROJECT

Beverley Lyons
KAREN Gillan is in talks about a new secret project with Doctor Who and Sherlock writer producer and showrunner Steven Moffat.
Scots born Steven, who appeared at Edinburgh TV Festival this week, is currently working on Dracula for Netflix and Time Travellers Wife for HBO and recently met with Karen at his home down south.
He said: “It’s always great to see her. I’ve seen Karen quite often since she left Doctor Who. It’s great. She came round to the local pub and caused a mild sensation as people started to realise a film star had arrived.  I’d forgotten that would happen. Mostly we talked about if we had seen Matt recently. There’s a thing we’re talking about doing. It’s so secret I’m calling it ‘There might be a thing.’ I’ve got a weeping angel in my garden and when folk come round they like to take selfies with it. I couldn’t resist getting a picture of it with Karen - and Matt and Peter have been round too.”
Karen is currently in Italy where she has been sunning herself aboard private yachts in between projects.
Karen just finished filming Gunpowder Milkshake which sees her play a female assassin with Lena Headley, Michelle Yeoh and Angela Bassett.