Glasgow star of The Bodyguard on why River City was 'terrifying'

“I wasn’t into drama that much at school, but when the kid playing the butler in our production of The Importance of Being Earnest broke his arm, I got asked to step in,” he says.

“It was a small part, lots of walking on stage and introducing people, and I messed up my very first line.”

He adds: “Which would have been bad enough, but realising what I’d done, I swore. On stage. Loudly. In front of an audience of other kids, parents, teachers….”

John in the King's Theatre, Glasgow (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

John laughs: “Not the best start, but I actually loved the experience of being in a play. I got the bug, and that was that.”

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The former River City star, who lives in Anderston, is preparing for the opening night of his latest production, The Bodyguard, which starts on Saturday (January 28) at the King’s Theatre. Starring Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton and Emmerdale star Ayden Callaghan as hotshot singer Rachel Marron and Frank Farmer, the bodyguard assigned to protect her, it is based on the movie of the same name, which starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner.

John is playing Bill Devaney, Rachel’s “father-figure” manager.

“I’m really excited we are kicking off the tour in Glasgow – it’s my home city, it’s where I was born and where I live now, so it’s great for me,” he says. “I can’t wait.”

John Macaulay (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

The Bodyguard is not the first epic 90s-movie-turned-into-a-stage-show that John has appeared in – last year, he toured the country in Fatal Attraction, which is based on the Michael Douglas/Glenn Close stalker film of the same name.

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“It’s a total coincidence - this is a new development in my career,” grins John, who is much more recognisable - to theatre-goers at least - for his impressive roles in Shakespearian productions and theatrical classics.

“But I’m loving it. The cast is fantastic - Melody is absolutely dynamite in this role, what a singer.”

John was born in Glasgow, grew up in Edinburgh and studied drama in Wales. His first ‘proper’ stage role after graduating was at Glasgay, the lesbian and gay arts and culture festival which ran in Glasgow throughout the 90s and noughties.

“I was on a stage with Sir Ian McKellen and Michael Cashman, from EastEnders, doing a daft skit about someone coming out as Black,” he says, with a laugh. “Not a bad first gig, really…”

Since then, John has appeared in numerous stage productions, including The Comedy of Errors at the Citizens in Glasgow, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry V with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Great Expectations with Dundee Rep.

John starred in Dundee Rep's production of Great Expectations (Image: Dundee Rep)

He will be recognisable to River City fans too, as scheming Glenn McAllister, who broke Lola’s heart, scammed money from The Grill, and fled to Amsterdam.

“I was a bit of a cad,” he admits. “It was great to be part of River City, but I was so nervous. It’s a different kettle of fish from theatre.

“Put me on a stage in front of 1500 people and yeah, there will be nerves because of the adrenalin, but it’s NOTHING compared to being in front of a camera crew on set and the director shouts ‘action’….it was terrifying.”

He shakes his head. “I was completely out of my comfort zone. It was great fun, but I don’t think I ever really relaxed into it,” he adds.

“Plus, I really don’t want to be famous, not at all. I want to do good work, and for people to think I’ve done good work – but I don’t really want to be recognised in my local supermarket. And for a wee while there, when I was on River City, that was happening to me.”

John’s focus for the next year will be The Bodyguard.

“It’s a long tour,” he nods. “Starting in Glasgow will be a lot of fun. Glasgow audiences are always up for it.”

The Bodyguard is at the King’s from January 28 until February 4.