Still Game Series 9 to be shown on BBC Scotland in February 2019
- The final series of Still Game will be shown on the new BBC Scotland channel, launching 24th February 2019
- The creators say: "Scotland is where Still Game's roots began and it's right the story comes to an end here"
- Series 9 - featuring six new episodes - will be shown on BBC One later in 2019
The final series of Still Game will be shown first on the new BBC Scotland channel.
Series 9 of the sitcom will premiere on the channel when it launches on Sunday 24th February 2019, with BBC One then airing the six-part series nation-wide later in the year.
Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill - the writers and stars of Still Game - say they are thrilled the series will be part of the new channel's launch.
Hemphill, who plays Victor, says: "Jack and Victor are a bottle being smashed on the bow of a beautiful ship and we're absolutely thrilled to be launching Scotland's brand new digital channel with the last ever series of Still Game."
Kiernan, who plays Jack, adds: "Scotland is where Still Game's roots began and it's right the story comes to an end here. From the early beginnings on radio through to TV, we started to build Still Game in Scotland so we're honoured our show will be part of the launch of a new BBC channel from Scotland. We're looking forward to our audience joining us at the end of our fabulous adventure."
Steve Carson, BBC Scotland's Head of Multi-platform Commissioning, comments: "To have this iconic Scottish comedy launching on BBC Scotland is great news for our audiences and a fitting farewell to the gang that have made the nation laugh for over a decade. Ford and Greg are bringing Still Game home to Scotland and we are thrilled to have the final series at the heart of the BBC Scotland channel launch. This last series will be a truly fitting send off with twists and turns along the way and life changing surprises in store for our favourite regulars - it's a real must-see for all Still Game fans."
Shane Allen, Controller of BBC Comedy Commissioning, comments: "Still Game's huge and enduring popularity has earned its place as a modern sitcom masterpiece. These much loved characters deliver the famous Glaswegian humour to screens across the nation with a show that bows out on a hilarious high and will be enjoyed by audiences for years to come."
It has also been officially confirmed today that Jane McCarry (Isa), Sanjeev Kohli (Navid), Gavin Mitchell (Boabby), Paul Riley (Winston) and Mark Cox (Tam) feature in the series, and that Scott Reid (Methadone Mick), Bruce Morton (Sheathing The Undertaker), Lynne McCallum (Peggy), Maureen Carr (Edith), Shamshad Akhtar (Meena), Paul Young (Shug), Matt Costello (Stevie The Bookie) and Kate Donnelly (Frances) will reprise their roles.
The series has already been filmed and guest stars announced today include Martin Compston (Line Of Duty), singer-songwriters Midge Ure and Amy MacDonald, James McPherson (Taggart) and Des Clarke.
The new BBC Scotland channel was announced in 2017, and is part of the BBC's additional £40m a year investment into the country. Other comedy shows likely to premiere on the channel include Scot Squad and a special episode of sketch show Burnistoun.
Following the end of the sitcom, the characters will bow out with a live stage show at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, with dates set for September and October 2019. Ticketmaster