Nicola Sturgeon leads tributes

Glaswegian comedian Johnny Beattie has died at the age of 93.

During a six-decade career he was a stand-up, pantomime dame, quiz show host and actor, playing Malcolm Henderson on Scottish soap River City and appearing in comedy shows including Rab C Nesbitt and Scotch & Wry.

Born in Govan on  November 9, 1926 Beattie worked in the shipyards before becoming an actor.

He appeared opposite Billy Connolly in the 1990 film The Big Man, and was made an MBE in the 2007 New Year Honours.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon lead the tributesafter he passed away at St Margaret’s Hospice, Glasgow.

She tweeted a photo wit him, saying: ‘So sad to hear that Johnny Beattie has died. He was a hugely talented performer and a truly lovely man. The photo here was taken at the Govan Fair a few years ago - he had us in stitches. Today, we’ve lost a national treasure, and my thoughts are with his loved ones.’

So sad to hear that Johnny Beattie has died. He was a hugely talented performer and a truly lovely man. The photo here was taken at the Govan Fair a few years ago - he had us in stitches. Today, we’ve lost a national treasure, and my thoughts are with his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/Pz7F6V44sc

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 9, 2020

Gary Tank Commander actress Leah MacRae posted: ‘My heart is sad to hear of the passing of the LEGENDARY Johnny Beattie. Getting to work with him on screen will forever be a career highlight of mine. I watched him in AWE. He was an exeptional talent but above all, a complete gentleman. Sending love to all of his family’

Scot Squad's Karen Bartke added that he was ‘a genuine giant of the Scottish variety and acting fraternity and by all accounts a really lovely man’.

Donalda McKinnon, director of BBC Scotland, said: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of comedy and acting legend Johnny Beattie.

‘He featured in many much loved programmes on the BBC and most recently delighted audiences for 13 years as the kind-hearted and loveable family man Malcolm Hamilton in River City.

‘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.’

Published: 10 Jul 2020