Amy Macdonald and Richard Foster among stars helping STV viewers bring in the bells this Hogmanay
STV has announced the celebrity line-up for its 2021 Hogmanay special, which will see five pairs of Scottish stars kicking back on the sofa and popping open the champers to celebrate their favourite moments of the last 12 months and look ahead to a hopeful 2022.
Bringing in the Bells (Hogmanay, 11:30pm, STV / STV Player) will peer into the living rooms of some of Scotland’s biggest showbiz names where they will chat through the best telly moments, sporting glories, celebrity gossip, and major news stories of 2021, before joining viewers across the country for the customary Auld Lang Syne singalong as the clock strikes midnight.
STV’s sofa stars for 2021 are Platinum-selling singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald and her footballer husband Richard Foster; TV presenter Gail Porter and comedian Fred MacAulay; Still Game icons Sanjeev Kohli and Jane McCarry; broadcaster Jean Johansson and wrestler/actor Grado; and STV News’ very own Sean Batty and Laura Boyd.
Queen of breakfast telly, Lorraine Kelly, will also be staying up past her bedtime to voice the programme in her own inimitable style and keep our celebrities in check.
Amy Macdonald said: “I feel like this year has flown by so quickly, so it will be great to take stock of it all and recap the best bits for Hogmanay – all with a glass of fizz in hand, of course. Whether Richard and I will agree on our favourite moments is another story altogether though...”
Gail Porter said: “Well, 2021 – what a whirlwind! It’s lovely reuniting with my old pal Fred MacAulay and reviewing another crazy year. It’s good to be involved with something a little bit different this Hogmanay, and I can’t wait to keep STV viewers company as we all count down to another new beginning together.”
Another highlight of STV’s festive schedule is Billy Connolly: My Absolute Pleasure, a brand new documentary focused on the Big Yin, which is set to air on Boxing Day (9:30pm, STV / STV Player).
One year on from his previous documentary It’s Been a Pleasure, Billy invites us to spend time with him in his newly adopted home of the Florida Keys, where we get a freshly-filmed welcome into the life he leads now. Billy also shares his most-loved stand-up routines captured during his legendary live tours – some of which have never been seen before on TV.
STV has also announced that, for the first time ever, it will make Christmas period evening shows, including Billy’s documentary, available on STV Player each morning at 7am ahead of their primetime broadcast – meaning early-rising soap fans can enjoy the iconic Christmas Day editions of Coronation Street and Emmerdale before the day’s festivities have commenced.
STV Player is now available on all major TV platforms, including Sky, Freeview Play, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Virgin Media.
Additional quotes from stars of Bringing in the Bells:
Jane McCarry said: “I'm sure this Hogmanay is going to be much more relaxed than the year Isa and co got stuck in a lift at Osprey Heights – although to be quite honest, anything can happen when Sanjeev and I get together!”
Sean Batty said: “If it’s anything like our usual nights out, I’m forecasting something of a wild spell at the Batty and Boyd Hogmanay gathering! Whether it’s been COP26, the Euros, or navigating the latest Covid restrictions, we’ve been by the side of STV viewers throughout 2021, so I’m really looking forward to bringing in the new year with them too.”
Bringing in the Bells airs on STV and STV Player from 11:30pm on Hogmanay.