David Paisley Explained

Birth Name:David Paisley
Birth Date:1979 2, df=yes
Birth Place:Falkirk, Scotland
Occupation:Actor, singer
Years Active:2000–present
Mother:Janet Paisley

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.

Early life

Paisley is the son of author Janet Paisley, and is one of seven children.[4] He was voted 'Britain's sexiest man' by readers of Gay Times magazine in 2003.[5] 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,[6] during which time he appeared in a community workshop (part of 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.[7]

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. Ben's kiss with his on-screen same-sex partner attracted 114 complaints from viewers.[8]

In 2008, Paisley starred in the short film Sweat,[9] 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,[10] where he provided a 'particularly credible' performance as his 'nervy and paranoid' character.[11]

In May 2009, he also starred as Michael in the successful stage production of Muhmah[12] 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.[13]

In 2010, he made his directorial debut with the play The Lasses, O (written by his mother Janet Paisley). at the Edinburgh Festival. He also starred as Rick in the 2010 horror film Unhappy Birthday.[14] [15]

In 2013, Paisley "starred" in a short film produced for the Dutch Film Festival called Fall-out, described as a post-apocalyptic romantic comedy.[16]

In 2016, he played the role of Saki in Katherine Rundell's Life According to Saki at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe;[17] the play went on to win the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award and subsequently toured Off-off-Broadway.[18] [19]

In November 2019, he returned to River City as Rory Murdoch, back from the dead having faked his own suicide.[20]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000Tinsel TownRyan TaylorTV series (2 seasons)
2002As IfGlenTV series (1 episodes)
2002–03Holby CityBen Saunders TV series (2 seasons)
2003CasualtyBen Saunders TV series (6 episodes)
2006–09, 2019–2021River CityRory MurdochTV series (4 seasons)
2007The WhistleblowersPaul McCallister TV series (1 episodes)
2008SweatSimon Short film
2010UnhappybirthdayRick Film
2013Fall-outNateShort film
2016EastEndersTom EdwardsTV series (2 episodes)
2018Rise of the ClansRobert the BruceTV series (1 episode "The Bruce Supremacy")[21]

Awards and nominations

|-! scope="row" | 2016| Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award| Best of Edinburgh| Life According to Saki| |[22]

Personal life

Paisley is a vegetarian.[23] He was voted 'Britain's sexiest man' by readers of Gay Times magazine in 2003.[5] 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.[24] [25]

In March 2021, Paisley was nominated for '"Awesome" Ally of the Year' by Diva magazine.[26] In May 2021, Paisley was nominated for '"Celebrity" of the Year' at the National Diversity Awards.[27] In June 2021, he was announced as a winner of the Attitude Pride Awards 2021.[28] [29] In August 2021, he was shortlisted for the "Community Champion Award" at the Proud Scotland Awards.[30] [31] [32]

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

References

  1. News: Marlborough . Conor . David Paisley: Scottish actor and domestic violence campaigner leaves Scotland because Paisley 'no longer feels safe in his home'. 1 September 2021. . Edinburgh. 3 October 2021.
  2. News: Thomas . Shibu . Actor & Lgbt Activist David Paisley To Leave Scotland Over Safety Concerns. 1 September 2021. . Ultimo, NSW, Australia. 3 October 2021.
  3. News: Harrison . Jody . River City actor David Paisley to leave Scotland as he no longer feels "safe". 1 September 2021. . Glasgow, Scotland, UK. 3 October 2021.
  4. News: Riach . Alan . Obituary: Janet Paisley, poet, novelist and activist for the Scots language . 22 May 2021 . HeraldScotland . Newsquest Media Group . Herald and Times Group . 14 November 2018 . en.
  5. Web site: Jordan . Mann . Preview: Fall-Out . gaytimes.co.uk . 25 April 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140426233409/http://www.gaytimes.co.uk/Interact/Blogs-articleid-9610-sectionid-761.html . 26 April 2014 .
  6. News: Steven . Hendry . I have never Ben so lonely; Says Holby star David.. 10 February 2002. Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland). 25 April 2014.
  7. News: Mcgarvie. Lindsay. Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland). 7 May 2000 . Pain and grief that the campaign has ignored . 25 April 2014.
  8. News: Virgin Mary complaints rejected. 29 April 2003. BBC News. 25 April 2014.
  9. Web site: Tim. Isaac. Candy Boy (DVD). 21 May 2012. biggaypictureshow.com. 25 April 2014.
  10. Web site: Reviews: The Backroom . Jonathan Lovett . 16 March 2009 . The Stage . 25 March 2012.
  11. Web site: The Backroom . Keith Myers . 16 March 2009 . WhatsOnStage . 25 March 2012.
  12. Web site: Theatre: Guardians / Muhmah . Michael Billington . 5 May 2009 . The Guardian . 25 March 2012.
  13. Web site: David Paisley . Mandy Actors . 25 March 2012.
  14. Web site: James. Waygood. Film Review: Unhappy Birthday. 3 April 2011. sosogay.co.uk. 24 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140425030701/http://sosogay.co.uk/2011/film-review-unhappy-birthday/. 25 April 2014. dead.
  15. Web site: Ball . Simon . Amen Island (2011) AKA Unhappy Birthday . The Horror Hothouse . 25 June 2019 . en . 13 April 2017.
  16. News: Abigail . Saltmarsh . Daniel Boys on glitz, glamour and High Society . 4 July 2013 . eveningnews24.co.uk . 23 April 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140424033210/http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/what-s-on/theatre/daniel_boys_on_glitz_glamour_and_high_society_1_2263546 . 24 April 2014 .
  17. Web site: Life According to Saki . Fisher. Philip. British Theatre Guide . 3 August 2016 . 23 January 2017 .
  18. Web site: Stephen. McElroy. 'Life According to Saki,' a Play Set in World War I, Wins Edinburgh Award. 26 August 2016. The New York Times. 22 September 2016.
  19. News: Clement . Olivia . Life According to Saki Wins Top Prize at Edinburgh Fringe; New York Is Next. 26 August 2016. . New York City. 3 October 2021.
  20. Web site: Gibson . Andy . RIVER CITY: MONDAY 16 DECEMBER 2019 . The TV Chronicle . 5 April 2020 . en .
  21. News: Didcock . Barry . A new telling of an old favourite . 22 February 2019 . Herald Scotland . 9 December 2018 . en.
  22. News: McElroy . Steven . Steven McElroy . 'Life According to Saki,' a Play Set in World War I, Wins Edinburgh Award. 26 August 2016. . New York City. 18 November 2016 .
  23. Web site: Five Questions – David Paisley. 19 August 2010. Edinburgh Festival.
  24. News: Rodger . Hannah . MP Cherry's £2500 defamation claim 'could have chilling effect' on holding power to account . 22 May 2021 . HeraldScotland . Newsquest Media Group . Herald and Times Group . 21 February 2021 . en.
  25. News: Rodger . Hannah . David Paisley publishes letter sent by Joanna Cherry's lawyers . 8 June 2021 . HeraldScotland . Newsquest Media Group . Herald and Times Group . 21 February 2021 . en.
  26. News: Award Shortlist 2021. 9 March 2021. DIVA Media Group . . London, UK . 3 October 2021.
  27. News: National Diversity Awards. 12 May 2021. The Diversity Group. National Diversity Awards. United Kingdom. 3 October 2021. 12 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210512101745/https://nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/nominate/35057/. dead.
  28. News: David Paisley: The Gay Soap Star Taking A Stand Against the Lgb Alliance. 16 June 2021. Stream Publishing Limited . . London, UK . 3 October 2021.
  29. News: Meet 10 Everyday LGBTQ Heroes Changing Our Community for the Better. 16 June 2021. Stream Publishing Limited. Attitude. London, UK. 3 October 2021. 3 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211003155057/https://attitude.co.uk/article/attitude-pride-awards-meet-10-everyday-lgbtq-heroes-changing-our-community-for-the-better-1/25193/. dead.
  30. News: Beresford . Alan . MSP shortlisted in finals of LGBTQI+ Proud Awards. 2 August 2021. Highland News and Media Ltd . . Moray, Scotland, UK . 3 October 2021.
  31. News: McRoberts . Kevin . Buchan MSP Karen Adam is a finalist in Proud Scotland Awards. 9 August 2021. JPI Media Publishing Ltd . . Moray, Scotland, UK . 3 October 2021.
  32. News: Proud Scotland Awards. 2 August 2021. Proud Scotland Awards Limited . Proud Scotland Awards . Edinburgh, UK . 3 October 2021.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "David Paisley".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.