Ken Stott

Kenneth Campbell "Ken" Stott (born 19 October 1954) is a Scottish actor, particularly known in the United Kingdom for his many roles in television. --- Stott was born in Edinburgh, to a Scottish father who was a teacher and educational administrator, and Antonia Sansica, a Sicilian lecturer. He was brought up as a Roman Catholic. Stott was educated at George Heriot's School. For three years in his youth he was a member of a band called Keyhole, members of which later went on to form the Bay City Rollers. After attending Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, Stott began working in the theatre for the Royal Shakespeare Company, but for some years his earnings from acting were minimal and he was forced to support himself by also working as a double glazing salesman. This is echoed in the character he plays in Takin' Over the Asylum. Stott's early work focused on theatre with a notable leading role in the dramatization of Dominic Behan's play about the Northern Ireland troubles 'The Folk Singer; (Belfast Lyric Theatre). His highest-profile television roles have included hospital radio DJ Eddie McKenna in BBC Scotland'sTakin' Over The Asylum the leading character, DCI Red Metcalfe, in the BBC crime drama series Messiah (BBC One, 2001–05); DI Chappell in ITV police drama The Vice (1999–2003); as a drunk who fantasises about finding redemption by joining the Salvation Army in Promoted to Glory (ITV, 2003); as Adolf Hitler in Uncle Adolf (ITV, 2005) and as a fictional Chancellor of the Exchequer in Richard Curtis's The Girl in the Café (BBC One, 2005). On the big screen, he has tended to play mostly supporting parts. However, he has had occasional starring roles in the cinema, most notably opposite Billy Connolly and Iain Robertson in The Debt Collector (1999) and Plunkett and Macleane of the same year.