October 29, 201014 yr Oh Lord, that's dreadful. I'm shocked to the core myself. Gerard is such a fixture on the Scottish acting scene. A hardworking and proud Scot. I'm sure I've seen him at least once a year for the past twenty years or so. I remember when he played the nasty in Brookside. It was such a change of character for him but he was very good. Edited October 29, 201014 yr by Baytree
October 29, 201014 yr Author lots of comments re the news, i can see the panto at kings could turn into a tribute to him - i have never heard of him,(I never seem to have heard of anyone) but he seems to have been a panto legend up there from what i have been reading
October 29, 201014 yr That is so sad. It'll be such a blow for his family and friends I'm so glad they were apparently able to get there to be with Gerard. I'm so unsettled now. Just the sheer shock. He was such an all round lovely, gentle man who did a lot more than just the annual pantomime and a consummate actor. He's never really got the credit he deserved because he preferred to work here in his beloved Scotland. The Kings panto has always attracted the great Scottish comedians - Stanley Baxter, Jimmy Logan, Rikki Fulton and Jack Milroy ( whom Gerard played in a bio-play which he also directed) - and latterly Gerard. I'm pretty sure he celebrated 20 years in panto last season and he'd been at the Kings for 7 consecutive years. He was rarely offered dramatic roles in Scotland because he was the panto king and down south they'd always cast him as a hard man. Edited October 29, 201014 yr by Baytree
October 29, 201014 yr lots of comments re the news, i can see the panto at kings could turn into a tribute to him - i have never heard of him,(I never seem to have heard of anyone) but he seems to have been a panto legend up there from what i have been reading If it goes ahead. It's not the moment to think about it, but I think it will, because Gerard went on stage no matter how ill he was. I remember reading an article where it was said he'd gone on when he had pneumonia and when he had sciatica. That's a man who loves his craft. There's a huge chasm in Scottish comedy to fill. I'm not sure we've got anybody with the potential to come close to Gerard.
October 29, 201014 yr It sounds awful but I'm so glad he'll be missed. So many die too young and the world just carries on
October 29, 201014 yr Nice article from STV. No doubt they're working on a suitable tribute, as will BBC Scotland I'm sure. http://entertainment.stv.tv/onstage/205484...n-appreciation/
October 29, 201014 yr What sad news. He sounded a lovely man, really dedicated to his profession. Sue
October 29, 201014 yr What a terrible thing to happen. My heartfelt sympathies go to all the family and friends
November 8, 201014 yr Gerard Kelly's funeral has been set for Friday. The cortege will drive past the King's Theatre. They've requested no flowers and said they'd rather donations are sent to the King's Restoration Fund. There will also be a fitting memorial to Gerard Kelly later, it's said.
November 8, 201014 yr That is sad. Flowers fade though and giving the money to something that benefits is just so much better.
November 14, 201014 yr A great many people lined the streets to say farewell to Paul Kelly (known as Gerard Kelly) on Friday. The cortege passed the King's Theatre, and the staff there had replaced all the current posters with posters of past shows in which he had taken part. A lovely gesture.
November 15, 201014 yr Found this great interview from two years ago with Gerard, Karen Dunbar and Adny Gray talking about pantomime in general. http://video.stv.tv/bc/entertainment-panto...ella-interview/ Gavin Mitchell will move from playing the wicked Queen to Muddles. Barbara Rafferty will now play the wicked queen. If my memory serves me right, Barabara played Ella, the wife of Jamesie, in Rab C Nesbit, She's a very good actress.
November 16, 201014 yr John Barrowman was on 'This Morning' advertising, among other things, his panto in Glasgow. Won't hold my breath for Darius appearing to advertise his. Sue
November 16, 201014 yr They had adverts on during Corrie last night for JB's panto. They're really giving it the hard sell. Maybe trying to take advantage of the uncertainty about the decision re Gerard's replacement.
November 16, 201014 yr The last time I looked (which was quite a while ago!!) I thought Snow White was virtually sold out!! Maybe John Barrowman isn't selling quite so well and they need to advertise!! ;) :D
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