Stephen Purdon
Stephen Purdon | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 1983 (age 42) Greenock, Inverclyde, Scotland |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Television | River City |
| Spouse |
Nicola McLaughlin (m. 2011) |
| Children | 2 |
Stephen Purdon (born May 1983) is a Scottish actor, known for his role as Bob O'Hara in the BBC Scotland soap opera River City. Having portrayed the role from its first episode, Purdon is the longest-serving Scottish soap opera actor.
Life and career
[edit]Purdon was born in May 1983 in Greenock, Inverclyde.[1][2] A teenage Purdon made his screen debut in 1999, as an extra in Ratcatcher.[3] He then appeared in the 2002 film Sweet Sixteen. He was up against Martin Compston for the lead role, but as Compston was chosen, Purdon was given a minor role in the film.[1]
Whilst studying at Langside College, he was contacted by a casting director who informed him of a new Scottish soap opera being made for the BBC, River City. He auditioned for the part of Shellsuit Bob, which he initially believed was a joke and was disappointed to hear nothing for a while. Then, whilst working in a clothing shop in his local area, he received a call to inform him he had gotten the part of Bob O'Hara. Purdon told his manager he was quitting, but asked him to reserve the job in case River City did not work out.[1] He began filming for the show, aged 19.[4] Since joining River City, Purdon has made annual appearances in pantomimes in Glasgow,[5] notably at the Pavilion Theatre.[6] In 2019, he portrayed Scottish boxer Benny Lynch in Rally Roon the Rangers at the Pavilion.[7] Purdon has been married to wife Nicola McLaughlin since 2011, with whom he shares two children.[6]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Ratcatcher | Boy on Bike | Film |
| 2002 | Sweet Sixteen | Mugger | Film |
| 2002–2026 | River City | Bob O'Hara | Regular role |
| 2012 | Staked | Mark | Television film |
| 2014 | I.Q You | Joe | Film |
| 2018 | Cops and Monsters | Private Colin Jack Bissitt | Episode: "Remembrance" |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "'Me and Shellsuit Bob have grown up on River City': Stephen Purdon on 20 years of the Glasgow drama". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Stephen PURDON". Gov.uk. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Sight & Sound, Ratcatcher (1999)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 6 November 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Comedy night featuring Grado and Stephen Purdon coming to county this summer". East Lothian Courier. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Stars of Two Doors Down and River City launch Glasgow panto". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ a b "River City star on celebrating 20 years in Glasgow panto". Glasgow Times. Archived from the original on 31 December 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "River City actor Stephen Purdon stars in Rangers show". Dumbarton Reporter. Archived from the original on 13 July 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2025.