- Some of Scotland’s best-loved celebs will be Bringing in the Bells with STV viewers this Hogmanay
- The line-up of well-kent faces features Taggart legends Alex Norton and Blythe Duff, podcast pals Martin Compston and Gordon Smart, broadcaster Jean Johansson and actor/presenter Grado, and STV stars Sean Batty and Laura Boyd
- Bringing in the Bells airs on STV and STV Player at 11:15pm on Hogmanay
They’re known to millions for their roles as some of TV’s most iconic detectives, but Martin Compston, Alex Norton and Blythe Duff are swapping the blue lights for bubbly this Hogmanay, as they bring in the bells with viewers on STV.
The channel’s 2023 Hogmanay show will see four pairs of Scottish stars throwing on their gladrags and popping the champers to celebrate some of their favourite moments of the last 12 months and keep viewers company as the New Year dawns.
Taggart legends Alex and Blythe, who became household names as DCI Burke and DI Reid in the long-running crime series, will reunite for the special festive event, while Martin – famed for his critically-acclaimed performances in Line of Duty, Mayflies and The Rig – will be joined on the night by his Restless Natives podcast co-host, award-winning journalist and broadcaster Gordon Smart.
Filmed in three of Scotland’s most stunning country homes – Dundas Castle, Kennox House and Mar Hall – Bringing in the Bells (Hogmanay, 11:15pm, STV / STV Player) will see the stars pore over the best telly moments, sporting glories, celebrity gossip, and light-hearted news stories of 2023, before all-female Celtic band The Laurettes close the show with a rousing version of Auld Lang Syne as the clock strikes midnight.
Blockquote open There’s been a… knees-up! What better way to end the year than getting together with wonderful Alex – my friend of 22 years – to look back over 2023 and have a giggle at some of the year’s most interesting and entertaining moments?
Blythe Duff
2023 has been a whirlwind for me as it marked 40 years in the industry, and I also had the joy of releasing my first solo single. The highlight, however, was having the chance to be with the Taggart fans and cast and crew as we celebrated 40 years of the iconic series. It’s going to be a pleasure welcoming in a new year with STV viewers – just like the good old days. Blockquote close
Blockquote open Where has this year gone?! I’m looking forward to reuniting with my old Taggart pal, Blythe, to take stock of it all and share a classic Hogmanay get-together.
Alex Norton
And in a posh country house as well! I have my suspicions it might be a slightly more glamorous Hogmanay than the one Eric, Beth and co will be having in Latimer Crescent…
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Joining Alex and Blythe and Martin and Gordon on the Bringing in the Bells 2023 line-up are broadcaster Jean Johansson (A Place in the Sun, This Morning) and actor and presenter Grado (Two Doors Down, Scotland’s Greatest Escape). STV presenters Sean Batty and Laura Boyd are also on the Hogmanay guestlist, while breakfast telly queen Lorraine Kelly will narrate the programme in her own inimitable style and keep the celebrities in check.
Blockquote open Hogmanay is such a special time of year for Scotland and I’ve got the added bonus of spending it with a National Treasure… Sean Batty. But I’ll mainly be on screen with my partner-in-crime on the Restless Natives podcast, Martin Compston.
Gordon Smart
We’re making a return to Mar Hall for filming – the same venue where Martin got married – so it’ll be a treat to do something in those salubrious surroundings again. The only difference is this time we’ll both remember it…
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Blockquote open Another year, another chance to get together with one of the funniest men in showbiz to have a glass of champers and chat through all the big moments of the past 12 months.
Jean Johansson
I couldn’t think of anyone better than Grado to be my first foot – let’s just hope he brings good luck!
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Bringing in the Bells airs on STV and STV Player from 11:15pm on Hogmanay.
