RIVER City star Una McLean has left her role as Shieldinch matriarch Molly O’Hara after 10 years.
The Strathaven-born star’s final storyline will air on the BBC Scotland channel on June 3. However, she will not appear on-screen for this.
McLean, who celebrated her birthday this week, has been performing for more than 60 years and appeared in hits including Dr Finlay’s Casebook, The Vital Spark and Still Game. She rode into the Scottish soap on a mobility scooter in 2009.
The actor said: “I am now 89 years old, and have decided to hang up Molly’s beret and leave someone else to deliver all the brilliant one-liners.
“I have had a wonderful time at River City working with fantastic cast and crew, many thanks to them all.”
Paying tribute to McLean, on-screen daughter Sally Howitt, who plays Scarlett O’Hara, said: “There was no acting required from me for the farewell scenes for Molly and Scarlett – it was genuinely hugely emotional and I hope the River City fans enjoy it.
“Una might have left the show but, to me, she will always be family.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here