For many, Gregor Fisher will forever be the string-vest-clad, philosophical drunkard Rab C Nesbitt, a role that has defined his career for decades. As the iconic Scottish character marks 40 years since his first television appearance, the actor is embarking on a new venture: a UK tour as himself.
Stepping Out From Behind the String Vest
At 71, Fisher is preparing for An Evening With Gregor Fisher, his first-ever tour in his own persona. Created with his friend, theatre director Nigel West, the tour will see the actor engage in a Q&A format with audiences across the country. Fisher, known for his dry wit, downplays the venture with characteristic humour.
"There's no lines to learn. We can maybe have a laugh. We might make a couple of quid, and we might not," he says. "But it'll be a painless exercise. There's no crucifixion involved." Despite this self-effacing front, his affection for the connection with his audience is clear, recalling a moment when a passerby simply said, "Thank you very much, son," a gesture that meant a great deal.
The Legacy and Burden of Rab C Nesbitt
Rab C Nesbitt first appeared on the sketch show Naked Video in the 1980s before headlining his own BBC series which ran intermittently between 1988 and 2014. Fisher initially had reservations about the character, worrying it perpetuated stereotypes of aggressive, inebriated Scotsmen. "I thought, 'Why does it have to be this? Why are we portraying this nutcase?'" he admits.
Yet, the character, brought to life by Fisher's performance and Ian Pattison's scripts, evolved into a more complex, lovable figure. He became a constant in a changing Glasgow, especially during its 1990 reign as European City of Culture. Fisher points out that the show's popularity extended far beyond Scotland, with most of its viewers living south of the border.
However, the role's success came with a cost: typecasting. "People would say to me, after I'd done an audition, 'Well that's absolutely marvellous, I didn't realise you could speak properly,'" Fisher reveals. This pigeonholing frustrated an actor whose range later included starring alongside Al Pacino in The Merchant of Venice and playing Bill Nighy's manager in Love Actually.
A Career of Surprises and New Chapters
Fisher's career has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years. He received acclaim for his role in the National Theatre of Scotland's Yer Granny and found an unlikely new audience as an Instagram cookery guru, guided by his daughter Cissie. More recently, he starred alongside Greg McHugh in the BBC sitcom Only Child, a experience he describes as a stroke of luck at 71.
Reflecting on his long career, Fisher remains unsentimental and pragmatic. He recalls working with the legendary Stanley Baxter, who at an advanced age still insisted on wearing a grey wig for a Rab C Nesbitt episode. Now in his own 'no-need-for-a-grey-wig era', Fisher is content but realistic about the future of his acting.
"There'll come a time, and I hope I know when it is, that I think, 'Maybe I'll just give it a miss now,'" he says, expressing disdain for actors who rely on earpieces for their lines. "If you can't do it any more, you should just do something else."
For now, he is looking forward to his tour, even if the details are yet to be fully fleshed out with director Nigel West. He approaches the prospect of a public Q&A without alarm, confident that he can handle any question short of the overly personal. His motivation remains simple and true to character: "I love a laugh, it's not too much pressure, and I might make a couple of quid. What's not to be happy about?"
