Still Game duo split

..but only in the boardroom

The stars of Scottish sitcom Still Game have split up in the boardroom of their production company – but say doesn’t mean the end of their BBC comedy.

Greg Hemphill and Ford Kiernan set up the firm Effingee, named after their first initials, eight years ago.

But now Hemphill, who plays Victor in Still Game, and fellow director Paul Riley, who plays Winston, have left the company.

Hemphill told the Glasgow Daily Record: ‘We are doing our own projects at the moment but there has been no big rift.’

‘There may be some dodgy rumours going around. We haven't killed off Jack and Victor for starters.’

He is said to have become bored with running the company, and wanted to return to writing and performing.

The company did not respond to a request for comment.

Kiernan and Hemphill met on the comedy circuit in 1989 and worked together on Chewin' The Fat, before creating Still Game in the late Nineties.

Meanwhile, BBC Worldwide has bought a 25 per cent in Steve Coogan and Henry Normal's independent production house Baby Cow.

The company has a string of his including the Mighty Boosh, Nighty Night and Gavin And Stacey to its name.

Coogan said: 'This is the best move for Baby Cow to ensure it stays true to its commitment to quality television and staying at the forefront of comedy on screen.'

Published: 16 Sep 2008

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