Forth One

1. Name
Grant Stott

2. Age 
43 (born May 1967)

3. Five things we don’t know about you
1.  I used to be a policeman. Initially in the Borders and then on the beat on Princes Street.
2. I once wore the suit Gene Hackman wore as Lax Luther in “Superman – The Movie” for a week while filming for the BBC without realising it.
3. Hearts legend John Robertson is my cousin.
4. I grind my teeth when I sleep. (so I’m told)
5. When I was at school, I worked at The Playhouse selling programmes.

4. Career History. 
First broadcast on Radio Forth in February 1990 hosting 2 “through the night” slots on Max-AM.  Six months later moved to Forth FM.  Worked evenings/ weekends until 1995 when I left Forth to host “Fully Booked” for CBBC with Zoe Ball. Returned to Forth in 1998 to mid mornings on Forth 2 then in 2000 took over the mid morning slot from Tom Wilson and there I have remained ever since.

I continue to work in TV and Panto.  Having killed off Scotsport after 50 years of television history, I am now the regular stand in for Stephen Jardine on stv’s “The Hour” and I continue to don the “Leathers of Villainy” in my annual run of panto at The Kings Theatre, Edinburgh.

5. Career highlight to date
So many.  Jeez – how to come up with just one?  Proudest moment, award wise, was when I was named the “Big Hearted Scotland Entertainer of the Year” in 2007.  But I think achieving professional associations with 5 of the most famous Edinburgh icons would best sum it up; Radio Forth, Edinburgh Evening News (been a columnist there since 2001), The Kings Theatre Edinburgh (appeared in 13 pantos to date), Lothian Buses (I’m the Ambassador for Lothian Buses Ridacard or the “pus on the bus” if you prefer) and Hibs (corporate match day host) this is something that, as someone who grew up with them all, really tickles me.

6. Your favourite Scottish event of the year?
Again, so many but I think the Edinburgh Festival will take some beating.  The month of August is like staying in a completely different City, but you haven’t gone anywhere as you’re still at home.

7. If you could change one thing about Edinburgh what would it be? 
I’d get the Trams fiasco sorted and get them up and running immediately.

8. What gives Edinburgh its edge?
It really does have something to offer everyone.  It is all encompassing all year round and is a place I never get bored of.

9. What is your favourite band/music act of all time and why?
Ouch.  Again, very tricky.  I love all types of music, always have – my iPod is nothing if not eclectic. But if I had to put one artist who has had an impact on my life I would have to say Dean Martin.

10. Which fashion accessory could you not live without?
A watch.  Does that count?

11. What is Edinburgh’s best kept secret?
Not exactly a secret, but a wander through the Hermitage is like disappearing into the countryside.  Yet it’s just 5 minutes from Cameron Toll!!!

12. Favourite childhood memory?
Christmas Eve at my family home in Upper Gilmore Place in Edinburgh. I don’t know how my folks contained my excitement and settled me down to get to sleep.

13. Clubbing in Edinburgh – where’s hot?
If I was to articulately and confidently answer this question correctively with any degree of knowledge, something would be very wrong.  Either with the club scene in Edinburgh or my private life.

14. Who is your favourite celebrity and why?
Louie Spence.  Just can’t get enough of him.

15. Who is the most interesting person you have interviewed and why?
Again tricky as there have been a few.  Liam Gallagher was a standout, more because I was bricking myself about interviewing him in his hotel room at the Balmoral but as it turned out he was a good laugh.  Was invited to be the 5th member of Take That during a filmed interview when Robbie disappeared – long before he actually did it for real.  But I think I’d say Paul Carrack who worked with Ace, Roxy Music and Squeeze to name but a few, was one of my favourites.

16. If we gave you £1k what would you spend it on? 
It would probably go towards a family holiday or something like that but if it was only to be spent exclusively on myself, it would a gadget of some sort or another.  I love my gadgets.  Although I don’t yet have an iPad.  Don’t need one.  Can’t justify buying one.  But I want one.

17. Why do you love your job?
Its variety.  In the 21 years I’ve been in this game, I can honestly say no two years have ever been the same.  That and the fact that I’ve survived so long. 

18. If you were not a presenter of Forth One what would your dream job be?
As a child I always wanted to be an actor and, if I’m honest, I don’t think I’ve ever really grown out of that dream.

19. What do you do to relax?
A cracking movie with a nice chilled bottle of wine and some Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations.  That usually does the trick.

20. What excites you?
Some of the stuff that happens to me.  Still get a buzz when a new challenge or gig comes up. I still have to pinch myself at some of the things I get to do.  Like standing on stage about to introduce Madness to thousands of people at last year’s Hogmanay concert in Princes Street Gardens.  I grew up listening to these guys and bought their records and now here’s Suggs wishing me a Happy New Year!?!?! What’s all that about?? Same happened with Debbie Harry when Blondie headlined a few years previous.

21. What do you love most about your life?
The fact that I have built a career and a family in my home City - all of which I love - is something I’m immensely proud of.

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