Two young Still Game superfans stole the spotlight when they surprised Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill dressed as the iconic characters Jack and Victor at a book signing. Adler, 9, and Alex McKie, 5, are obsessed with the sitcom, which they watch every day.
The pair developed a love for the legendary show thanks to their parents, Andrew and Amy, who bonded over Still Game in the early days of their relationship. The brothers first dressed up as mini versions of the Craiglang duo for Halloween.
And after learning that Ford and Greg would be in the Livingston Centre to sign their new Still Game comic, He Who Hingeth Aboot Getteth Heehaw!, the parents knew they had to dress them as Jack and Victor again to meet the funnymen behind the show.
The family set off from their home in Beattock, Dumfriesshire, early on Saturday morning to make sure they arrived in plenty of time. Dad Andrew said: “They absolutely love Still Game. They can’t go to bed unless they watch it. It’s never off in this house and Jack and Victor are the kids’ favourite characters.
“We arrived there at around 8am to be third in the queue and we finally saw them at 1.30pm, so there was a lot of standing around but it was worth the wait.
“Ford and Greg loved meeting the boys and it was great to see their reactions because I don’t think they expected to see anyone dressed up. They were really wowed and were absolutely brilliant and personal with them. The boys really enjoyed themselves and I can thank Ford and Greg for that.”
Footage from the lads’ greeting with Ford and Greg quickly went viral, racking up an impressive 250,000 views online. Andrew, 37, was left stunned by the video’s success, describing it as “absolutely crazy”.
The McKie family’s love for Still Game runs deep. Originally from South Shields, Andrew first got hooked on the show 20 years ago after a Scottish friend lent him a DVD. When he met his wife, Amy, a fellow fan from Sunderland, it was love at first laugh.
“Back then, nobody where we’re from knew about Still Game,” Andrew said. “It became something we bonded over. We’ve visited all the iconic locations—the flats, the café, the bookmakers, even the number one bench.
“We have travelled everywhere to see every character. When we lived in England we used to travel up to Scotland to attend all of the Q&A’s. We’re massive fans, and now the boys are too.”
The event at the Born in Scotland store was their first stop on their book signing tour in the run-up to Christmas. Fans from across the country were there to greet the Still Game stars.
Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We were delighted to welcome Greg and Ford to The Centre, Livingston, especially being the only shopping centre in Scotland they are visiting to meet fans and sign copies of their fantastic new book.
“Fans travelled from as far as Inverness and south of the border to get the opportunity to meet their idols – there was such a great buzz in the air, and a lot of laughter too.”
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