Vale star sad as detective show axed (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Vale star sad as detective show axed

THE BBC has axed Alistair McGowan's detective drama, Mayo. The Evesham-born TV comedian, who had co-written the final episodes of the show, was saddened by the news.

In an exclusive interview with the Journal, he said: "I haven't had a proper conversation with the BBC. Considering how hard we all worked on the show and how long it took I am extremely disappointed.

"The ratings in the first series were not as high as we would have hoped but the publicity campaign by the BBC was very poor."

The Big Impression star added: "I think people found it difficult to figure out what the show was about. I'm sure it would have been very successful if we'd of been allowed another series.

"There was a great chemistry between the actors in the show and I helped write the final few episodes which was a real achievement. I felt as the show went on the audience began to come to terms with the characters and the storylines."

After growing up in The Vale, Alistair moved from Evesham High School to Leeds University. Then the move to a London drama school saw him take the plunge into stand up comedy.

"After watching stars like Paul Merton and Jack Dee in London I decided that I had to get a piece of the action.

"I came back to Evesham in the early nineties and saw some friends in a local pub. When I told them what I was doing for a living they couldn't believe it.

"I was always the quiet one at the back of the class who worked hard and liked football and badminton. But even to this day I love the comedy side of my work," said Alistair, aged 42.

Now a move into writing looks on the cards for Alistair. "I've written a lot for the Big Impression in the past. Now I would love to write a film. We have some very interesting projects in the pipeline, one of which looks very promising. I have a meeting with a big film company in the next few weeks.

"My ambition is to write and star in a Hollywood blockbuster, then have the film shown at the Regal cinema when it's re-opened."