Trending Now: Two Doors Down star Alex Norton opens up on festive special tears for late pal and show writer – Fans React

Alex, who plays Eric in the BBC sitcom, revealed how cast and crew gathered to remember co-creator and writer Simon Carlyle who died in 2023 aged 48.

Actor Alex Norton has spoken of the tears on set when the cast of Two Doors Down reunited to pay tribute to late co-creator and writer Simon Carlyle.

Alex, who plays Eric in the BBC sitcom, revealed how cast and crew gathered to remember Simon as filming began on a new festive episode of the show nobody thought would happen.

Alex said: “When we came back on set there was a speech by our director. It was for everybody, and he remembered that we were all here again because of Simon Carlyle, and that this was an opportunity to celebrate his memory and give it all we’ve got.

“I get emotional even thinking about it now, it was a really difficult moment. Simon came up with the concept of Two Doors Down, he was very much the beating heart of the series.”

Director Ben Gosling-Fuller’s speech united stars including Elaine C Smith, Doon Mackichan, Jonathan Watson and Arabella Weir who were devastated by the death of Simon – in 2023, aged just 48 – who co-created and co-wrote the series with Gregor Sharp.

There were no plans for the comedy to return following Simon’s death, and a live show at the Hydro in Glasgow was shelved.

But fans got a festive treat on Christmas Eve and can enjoy a string of live shows at the country’s biggest venue next year.

And former Taggart star Alex hinted that there could be more episodes on the way. The 75-year-old said: “It’s very unexpected. We all thought after his tragic death that would be the end of it. I think everybody thought that as Gregor Sharp, Simon’s co-writer, felt he couldn’t go on, they couldn’t write any more episodes without him.

“Obviously they talked him into it. I think he maybe secretly felt it was worth him doing it, and it wouldn’t be soiling Simon’s memory to work without him. And I’m very glad he did.”

So uncertain was the future of the show, which also features Joy McAvoy, Grado, Kieran Hodgson and Jamie Quinn, that BBC bosses scrapp-ed the sets.

Alex said: “They kept the sets for a while then eventually destroyed them rather than having them take up space.

“So they had to rebuild everything we are using here today. It was all built from scratch again.

“We have no idea but secretly we’re thinking if this is just a one-off then why would they go to the expense and trouble of building a whole new set? It’s not cheap.

“If this is the only one they do then it’s a fitting tribute to Simon, but who knows? It’s up to Gregor if he wants to do it, if he has more plots.”

Alex plays Eric, opposite Arabella Weir. The couple are the lynchpin of antics on Latimer Crescent and have been since the show’s pilot episode 12 years ago.

And he revealed he drew inspiration for playing Eric from his relationship with his own father, growing up in Glasgow’s Gorbals.

He said: “When I read that first script it was like a breath of fresh air. I couldn’t believe how good it was. Most New Year shows are middle of the road, but this was totally different.

“They made a thing about the fact that Eric had a gay son and that was something he had to learn to deal with. He is very accepting of all that.

“But I had to take that on board, and I thought a lot about my own dad actually, not because he had to come to terms with me being gay, but instead because I told him I wanted be an actor and for him that was completely beyond his comprehension.

“We had terrible rows, it was a terrible time – really awful, you wouldn’t believe how bad it was. He wanted me to follow in his footsteps and become a plumber. Eventually I had to leave home

“Now, having three kids of my own, I understand where he was coming from.

“Like all his brothers they were tradesmen, and he wanted me to earn a decent living, although I don’t think he did because plumbers didn’t earn a lot in those days, not like now.

“I knew it wasn’t for me, I couldn’t see a future for me in that and when the chance of acting came along I grabbed it with both hands.

“After all those hellish rows, he came to see me in John Byrne’s Writer’s Cramp and spoke to me afterwards. He said, ‘Listen – all those rows and fights we had. I was wrong, you were right.’ It was one of those pivotal moments in our relationship. I realised then I didn’t need to prove myself to my old man any more.”