'People don't recognise me since I lost weight' - Gregor Fisher

More than three decades after Rab C Nesbitt made his television debut, the actor who brought the iconic character to life is not recognised as often as he used to be.

Gregor Fisher, who is set to start his UK tour in March, was recently diagnosed with diabetes and advised to make some lifestyle changes by his doctor.

Fisher, 72, told BBC Scotland's News at Seven programme: "I've lost quite a lot of weight because I was told I was diabetic and it might good if I could lose a couple of pounds."

He joked now only the more "eagle-eyed people in his local supermarket" tend to connect him with the alcoholic Glaswegian street philosopher.

But Fisher said he does not mind.

"I quite like not being recognised by people noawadays, actually," he admitted.

Fisher is best known for his portrayal of the title character in the comedy series Rab C Nesbitt but has also featured in films such as Love Actually, Whisky Galore! and The Merchant of Venice.

Written by Ian Pattison, Rab C Nesbitt ran for 10 seasons, originally airing between 1988 and 1999, before returning for a second run from 2010 to 2014.

But more recently Fisher joined forces with Greg McHugh - better known to audiences as Gary: Tank Commander - to play a father and son duo in the BBC Scotland comedy Only Child.

The programme, which is soon returning for a second series, explores the theme of inter-generational differences when Richard (McHugh) travels home to north east Scotland to look after his ageing and wilful dad Ken (Fisher).

"It's quite thrilling to be a 72-year-old and still be required to make television shows," Fisher said.

"Especially when it is with the wonderful Greg McHugh, who is my favourite actor on the planet at the minute.

"It's great to be working with him, although I think I do annoy him now and again."

Fisher said he enjoyed pretending to be someone else and bringing a character to life on the screen.

While Rab and Ken may look similar, Fisher added that was where the similarities ended as he had to focus on showing the "heart" in Ken that was perhaps more disguised in Rab.

"I try to make my characters as believable and as real as possible, even though sometimes, especially with Rab C Nesbitt, he was not very real," he said.

"You have to believe it because if the characters don't have some sort of beating heart or some sort of reality, people won't care about them.

"But if you do the characters like they are written, then that will give them the meaning and life."

Now after decades of hiding behind wigs, string vests and over-the-top personalities, Fisher is preparing to start his UK tour, which will see him leave the acting behind to share stories from his life and career.

He revealed he was unsure at first as to whether he would like stepping out from behind the disguise to face a live audience as himself.

But after a test run almost eight years ago, Fisher has decided to give it ago.

He said: "When you work on television, there are no people and there is no feedback.

"It's not as if the audience clap, so there is no connection."

Fisher compares a live show to a tennis match between himself and the audience as he encourages them to participate and ask questions.

"I like the immediacy of it and the back and forth," he added.

"I have one or two topics to jump between but I haven't prepared anything and I don't know what the audience is going to ask during the Q&A.

"It'll be mostly personal with some show business, so that will be interesting."