BBC Radio Scotland Highlands and Islands

I Will Tell You This! My Life With Rab C Nesbitt

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Rab C

25/12/2017

BBC Radio Scotland - I Will Tell You This! My Life With Rab C Nesbitt

The untold story of the inspiration behind Ian Pattison's comedy creation Rab C Nesbitt.

Written and presented by Ian Pattison, the untold story of the true inspiration behind his iconic comedy creation, Rab C Nesbitt. Featuring Gregor Fisher and Colin Gilbert.

Written and presented by Ian Pattison, 'I Will Tell You This! My Life With Rab C Nesbitt' is one man's epic journey to the savage heart of the Glasgow dream via the Inner circle subway line from Govan. Born and raised in the area, Ian managed to break free of the cycle of dead end jobs and a bleak economic future by writing about Govan and its people, through the eyes of his creation Rab C Nesbitt. 

It gave Ian a rope ladder to escape into the wider, brighter world. Ten series, six specials, and two stage shows later, Ian goes back to Rab C's spiritual heartland in Govan to rediscover the inspiration behind one of Scotland's most iconic comedy creations, and tells for the very first time about the real characters that inspired Nesbitt.

We'll hear from Producer Colin Gilbert on how Rab evolved from a radio sketch character to one of the most successful Scottish sitcoms of all time, and also from Gregor Fisher on those heady early days performing Nesbitt on Naked Video.

We'll find out about the characters in Ian's life and the observations that fuelled his creativity and helped shape Rab C's comedy persona. On this personal journey we'll hear some extracts of classic Nesbitt monologues that will illuminate areas of Rab's thinking and shape Ian's story. We'll also hear how Ian got on when he took a trip to talk to the people of Govan about their view on Rab C and the representation of their town, and to visit local writing talent at The Sunny Govan Community Media Group.

Written & presented by Ian Pattison.
The Producer was Gus Beattie.
A Gusman Production for BBC Radio Scotland.

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