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David Paisley
Born
David Paisley

(1979-02-02) 2 February 1979 (age 44)
Falkirk, Scotland
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active2000–present
Parent

David Paisley (born 2 February 1979) is a Scottish actor, domestic violence and LGBTQIA+ rights campaigner,[1][2][3] known for roles as midwife Ben Saunders in Holby City, Ryan Taylor in Tinsel Town and Rory Murdoch in River City. Some of his characters have been controversial due to their sexual orientation.[4]

Early life

Paisley is the son of author Janet Paisley, and is one of seven children.[5] He was voted 'Britain's sexiest man' by readers of Gay Times magazine in 2003.[6] He grew up in Glen Village near Falkirk. At 15 years of age, Paisley went to an LGBT group where he eventually met his first partner. At 17, he attended the University of Glasgow to study physics,[7] during which time he appeared in a community workshop (part of 7:84 theatre company in Glasgow) and then studied Optometry at Glasgow Caledonian University. At 18, he came out to his family who were supportive and helped in his efforts campaigning against the Keep the Clause campaign.[8]

Career

Paisley began acting as a teenage boy when he heard about an open audition for television drama Tinsel Town, a 1999-2000 television drama (co-produced by BBC Scotland and Raindog/Deep Indigo Productions). He went on to play one of the main characters, Ryan Taylor, the 17-year-old partner of a police officer.

Later, Paisley appeared in a few stage productions. Then in 2002, he landed the part of midwife Ben Saunders in BBC1's popular medical soap Holby City.[7] Ben's kiss with his on-screen same-sex partner attracted 114 complaints from viewers.[9]

In 2008, Paisley starred in the short film Sweat,[10] which was screened at the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, and selected for screening at NewFest in New York, June 2008.

Paisley completed filming on his regular role as Rory Murdoch on BBC Scotland's River City, the son of gangster Lenny Murdoch and departed the show in 2009.

Paisley starred as 'Madam' Gary in the play The Backroom by Adrian Pagan at The Cock Tavern Theatre in Kilburn, London in March–May 2009,[11] where he provided a 'particularly credible' performance as his 'nervy and paranoid' character.[12]

In May 2009, he also starred as Michael in the successful stage production of Muhmah[13] at the HighTide Festival. In 2009–10, he took to the stage again in the UK Tour of Over The Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story, in which he played the part of Dan Cassidy.[14]

In 2010, he made his directorial debut with the play The Lasses, O (written by his mother Janet Paisley).[15] at the Edinburgh Festival. He also starred as Rick in the 2010 horror film Unhappy Birthday.[16][17]

In 2013, Paisley "starred" in a short film produced for the Dutch Film Festival called Fall-out, described as a post-apocalyptic romantic comedy.[18]

In 2016, he played the role of Saki in Katherine Rundell's Life According to Saki at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe;[19] the play went on to win the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award and subsequently toured Off-off-Broadway.[20][21]

In November 2019, he returned to River City as Rory Murdoch, back from the dead having faked his own suicide.[22]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Tinsel Town Ryan Taylor TV series (2 seasons)
2002 As If Glen TV series (1 episodes)
2002–03 Holby City Ben Saunders TV series (2 seasons)
2003 Casualty Ben Saunders TV series (6 episodes)
2006–09, 2019–2021 River City Rory Murdoch TV series (4 seasons)
2007 The Whistleblowers Paul McCallister TV series (1 episodes)
2008 Sweat Simon Short film
2010 Unhappybirthday Rick Film
2013 Fall-out Nate Short film
2016 EastEnders Tom Edwards TV series (2 episodes)
2018 Rise of the Clans Robert the Bruce TV series (1 episode "The Bruce Supremacy")[23]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2016 Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award Best of Edinburgh Life According to Saki Won [24]


Personal life

Paisley is a vegetarian.[25] He was voted 'Britain's sexiest man' by readers of Gay Times magazine in 2003.[6] In 2021, SNP MP Joanna Cherry alleged he had defamed her on Twitter, though he denied this and Cherry did not take the matter to court.[26][27]

In March 2021, Paisley was nominated for '"Awesome" Ally of the Year' by Diva magazine.[28] In May 2021, Paisley was nominated for '"Celebrity" of the Year' at the National Diversity Awards.[29] In June 2021, he was announced as a winner of the Attitude Pride Awards 2021.[30][31] In August 2021, he was shortlisted for the "Community Champion Award" at the Proud Scotland Awards.[32][33][34]

Paisley declared in August 2021 that he would move from Scotland as he "no longer feels safe".[3]

References

  1. ^ Marlborough, Conor (1 September 2021). "David Paisley: Scottish actor and domestic violence campaigner leaves Scotland because Paisley 'no longer feels safe in his home'". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  2. ^ Thomas, Shibu (1 September 2021). "Actor & Lgbt Activist David Paisley To Leave Scotland Over Safety Concerns". Star Observer. Ultimo, NSW, Australia. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b Harrison, Jody (1 September 2021). "River City actor David Paisley to leave Scotland as he no longer feels "safe"". The Herald (Glasgow). Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  4. ^ Bogs, Eric (2002), "XY meets David Paisley", XY Magazine, archived from the original on 21 November 2006, retrieved 2 November 2007
  5. ^ Riach, Alan (14 November 2018). "Obituary: Janet Paisley, poet, novelist and activist for the Scots language". HeraldScotland. Herald and Times Group. Newsquest Media Group. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  6. ^ a b Mann, Jordan. "Preview: Fall-Out". gaytimes.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  7. ^ a b Hendry, Steven (10 February 2002). "I have never Ben so lonely; Says Holby star David". Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland). Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  8. ^ Mcgarvie, Lindsay (7 May 2000). "Pain and grief that the campaign has ignored". Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland). Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  9. ^ "Virgin Mary complaints rejected". BBC News. 29 April 2003. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  10. ^ Isaac, Tim (21 May 2012). "Candy Boy (DVD)". biggaypictureshow.com. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  11. ^ Jonathan Lovett (16 March 2009). "Reviews: The Backroom". The Stage. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  12. ^ Keith Myers (16 March 2009). "The Backroom". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  13. ^ Michael Billington (5 May 2009). "Theatre: Guardians / Muhmah". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  14. ^ "David Paisley". Mandy Actors. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  15. ^ Brown, Irene (2010), "The Lasses, O by Janet Paisley", Edinburgh Guide, archived from the original on 22 September 2010, retrieved 20 August 2010
  16. ^ Waygood, James (3 April 2011). "Film Review: Unhappy Birthday". sosogay.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  17. ^ Ball, Simon (13 April 2017). "Amen Island (2011) AKA Unhappy Birthday". The Horror Hothouse. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  18. ^ Saltmarsh, Abigail (4 July 2013). "Daniel Boys on glitz, glamour and High Society". eveningnews24.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  19. ^ Fisher, Philip (3 August 2016). "Life According to Saki". British Theatre Guide. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  20. ^ McElroy, Stephen (26 August 2016). "'Life According to Saki,' a Play Set in World War I, Wins Edinburgh Award". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  21. ^ Clement, Olivia (26 August 2016). "Life According to Saki Wins Top Prize at Edinburgh Fringe; New York Is Next". Playbill. New York City. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  22. ^ Gibson, Andy. "RIVER CITY: MONDAY 16 DECEMBER 2019". The TV Chronicle. Retrieved 5 April 2020.[permanent dead link]
  23. ^ Didcock, Barry (9 December 2018). "A new telling of an old favourite". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  24. ^ McElroy, Steven (26 August 2016). "'Life According to Saki,' a Play Set in World War I, Wins Edinburgh Award". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  25. ^ "Five Questions – David Paisley". Edinburgh Festival. 19 August 2010.
  26. ^ Rodger, Hannah (21 February 2021). "MP Cherry's £2500 defamation claim 'could have chilling effect' on holding power to account". HeraldScotland. Herald and Times Group. Newsquest Media Group. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  27. ^ Rodger, Hannah (21 February 2021). "David Paisley publishes letter sent by Joanna Cherry's lawyers". HeraldScotland. Herald and Times Group. Newsquest Media Group. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  28. ^ "Award Shortlist 2021". Diva. London, UK: DIVA Media Group. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  29. ^ "National Diversity Awards". National Diversity Awards. United Kingdom: The Diversity Group. 12 May 2021. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  30. ^ "David Paisley: The Gay Soap Star Taking A Stand Against the Lgb Alliance". Attitude. London, UK: Stream Publishing Limited. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  31. ^ "Meet 10 Everyday LGBTQ Heroes Changing Our Community for the Better". Attitude. London, UK: Stream Publishing Limited. 16 June 2021. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  32. ^ Beresford, Alan (2 August 2021). "MSP shortlisted in finals of LGBTQI+ Proud Awards". The Northern Scot. Moray, Scotland, UK: Highland News and Media Ltd. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  33. ^ McRoberts, Kevin (9 August 2021). "Buchan MSP Karen Adam is a finalist in Proud Scotland Awards". Buchan Observer. Moray, Scotland, UK: JPI Media Publishing Ltd. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  34. ^ "Proud Scotland Awards". Proud Scotland Awards. Edinburgh, UK: Proud Scotland Awards Limited. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.

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