Veteran theatre star and River City actor Johnny Beattie has passed away at the age of 93.
Johnny, who has played Shieldinch’s loveable pensioner Malcolm Henderson since the BBC soap was launched in 2002, left the programme in 2015 after a bout of ill health.
The much-loved star is said to have passed away peacefully after a short spell at St Margaret’s Hospice.
The former Govan shipyard worker first got into showbiz after joining an amateur dramatic show in 1951.
He went on to become a stand-up comic, panto dame and TV quiz show host on STV’s Now You See It in the 1980s as well as starring opposite Liam Neeson in the 1990 flick The Big Man.
He also appeared on cult shows including Scotch & Wry and Rab C Nesbitt.
His many performances over six decades of entertainment established him as one of the giants of Scotland's comedy scene alongside Rikki Fulton, Jack Milroy and Stanley Baxter and also earned him an MBE.
Johnny was married for 33 years to wife Kitty who passed away from cancer in 1993 following their separation in 1985.
The couple had four children including Maureen, who went on to star in Casualty, and Louise, who quit acting to become a solicitor, along with sons Paul and Mark.
Actor Tom Urie who co-starred on River City recalled Johnny telling him about sharing the bill with Laurel and Hardy. He said: “Johnny was part of Scotland’s golden era of showbiz - he was like our Sinatra, our Dean Martin.
“His stories of the Glasgow music halls were wonderful, and a kinder, warmer, more friendly gentleman you could never hope to meet.
“He never seemed like an old man, he had a youthful energy that was infectious, and he was one of the last of that great Scottish music hall generation.”
Singer Peter Morrison said: “What a life he had. Everyone was always so pleased to see him.
“After Johnny starred in River City it elevated his superior status to a new level. He was besieged by all the youngsters. He was a bastion of Scottish variety.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also paid tribute to Johnny, saying: “He was a hugely talented performer and a truly lovely man. Today, we’ve lost a national treasure, and my thoughts are with his loved ones.”
Donalda MacKinnon, director of BBC Scotland, added: “Johnny Beattie dedicated his life to the entertainment of others and we thank him for the joy and laughter he brought to audiences across his long and varied career.”
