Clare Grogan

Last updated

Clare Grogan
Clare Grogan.jpg
Grogan performing with Altered Images in 2009
Background information
Born (1962-03-17) 17 March 1962 (age 62)
Glasgow, Scotland
Genres Pop, rock, new wave
Occupation(s)Singer, actress
Years active1979–present
Member of Altered Images

Claire Patricia Grogan (born 17 March 1962), known professionally as Clare Grogan or sometimes as C. P. Grogan, is a Scottish actress and singer. She is best known as the lead singer of the 1980s new wave music group Altered Images, as well as for supporting roles in the 1981 film Gregory's Girl and the science fiction sitcom Red Dwarf as the first incarnation of Kristine Kochanski. [1]

Contents

Early life

Born in Glasgow, Grogan and her two sisters all attended the Notre Dame Convent School. [2]

Aged 17, while she was dancing at the Glasgow College of Technology, a fight broke out nearby between several patrons. Grogan attempted to head away from the violence but was injured by thrown broken glass, causing a deep facial wound and a prominent scar on the left side of her face. Grogan states her parents still find it hard to read about the incident. She began filming Gregory's Girl just three months after the incident. [3] In 1998, while she was working in a theatre at Watford, it was discovered that part of the glass was still in the facial tissue and had to be surgically removed. [4]

Acting career

Theatre

As a member of Scottish Youth Theatre, she was originally obliged to appear as "C. P. Grogan" because there was already a member of Equity named Claire Grogan. (The other Claire Grogan went on to become a photographer.) She would later drop the i from her first name. [5]

Grogan played the part of Rita in Educating Rita at Dundee Repertory Theatre in 1987. [6]

In 1996, she played a fitness instructor on the Edinburgh Fringe in the play Lady Macbeth Firmed My Buttocks. [7]

Film and television

While working as a waitress at the Spaghetti Factory restaurant in Glasgow, she was spotted by film director Bill Forsyth. [8] This led to her breakthrough acting role in 1981's Gregory's Girl as Susan. Because of her facial wound there were objections from the producers, but Forsyth refused to recast the role and Grogan was filmed mostly in profile. When filmed in close up, makeup artists covered Grogan's scar with Derma wax. [9]

In 1984, she played Charlotte in Forsyth's Comfort and Joy . In 1985, she was the receptionist in the BBC Television version of Blott on the Landscape . Grogan appeared in the second episode of the acclaimed The Monocled Mutineer in 1986. She had a recurring role playing Dave Lister's would-be love-interest, Kristine Kochanski, in series 1, 2 and 6 of the TV show Red Dwarf . However, she was later deemed too old for the role. [10] Grogan has also appeared in Father Ted (episode "Rock-a-Hula Ted") in a thinly veiled parody of Sinéad O'Connor [11] and in EastEnders as Ian Beale's love interest, Ros Thorne (1997–1998).

In 1992, Grogan appeared as Mary Catto in series 8 episode 21 of Taggart (again credited as C.P. Grogan).

She had the role of Maggie in a 1998 comedy Jilting Joe, played an eye surgeon in a 2002 short film Bury It, appeared in Doctors in 2003, and performed another Edinburgh Fringe play Forbidden in 2004, as Lily, married to a WW2 Nazi officer but falling in love with a young Jewish woman. [12]

In 2006, Grogan portrayed Sandra Reeves, a control-freak office manager, in the film The Penalty King [13] played Cathy in an episode of Sea of Souls , and May, Danny's mother, in the Scottish sit-com Legit . She appeared in the video for Peter Kay and Matt Lucas' charity single "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)", recorded for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day 2007, along with two TV films Wedding Belles and Forgiven. [14]

Grogan had a role in the 2011 TV series Skins as Shelley, mother of Mini McGuinness [15] and played Jenny Ferris in the Scottish gangster film The Wee Man in 2013.

She starred as Myriam in the 2017 film Delirium, [16] filmed entirely at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Grogan co-presented, alongside Gary Maclean, BBC Scotland's Corner Shop Cook-Off. [17] The six episode series originally aired from 19 February to 25 March 2020. [18] [19]

Music career

Grogan developed her singing career as the lead singer of Altered Images, originally a five-piece band that included Johnny McElhone (later of the Scottish rock band Texas), whom she met while studying for her Highers exams. It became a four-person band with the departure of two members and the addition of Stephen Lironi, who played both guitar and drums. The band had several hits in the early 1980s, including "Happy Birthday", "Don't Talk to Me About Love", "I Could Be Happy" and "See Those Eyes". The group split up after the release of their third album, Bite (1983).

In 1984, Grogan made a cameo appearance in the music video to "Young at Heart" by The Bluebells.

Grogan later attempted a solo career, but after her single "Love Bomb" failed to gain chart success in 1987, her album Trash Mad was never released. Grogan formed Universal Love School in 1989 with Lironi, performing a series of gigs around the UK. However, it was short-lived and produced no hit singles. In 2000, she contributed vocals to the song "Night Falls Like a Grand Piano" on The 6ths' album Hyacinths and Thistles . She recorded a version of "Angels with Dirty Faces" for the Frankie Miller tribute album. The track "Her Hooped Dream" appears on The Ultimate Celtic Album. [20]

In 2002, Grogan performed as Altered Images on the Here and Now Tour which featured other well known artists from the 1980s. She performed on similar tours in 2005, 2008 and 2009. She appeared with Chesney Hawkes, Toyah Willcox and Limahl as The 80s Supergroup in the 2011 series of Let's Dance for Comic Relief . [21]

Grogan sometimes covers for radio presenters on BBC 6 Music.[ citation needed ]

Grogan appeared in Series 2, Episode 2 of John Shuttleworth's Lounge Music on BBC Radio 4 on 27 November 2016. [22]

Clare Grogan is the inspiration for the song "True" by Spandau Ballet. [23]

Grogan began presenting shows on Absolute Radio 80s from 11 September 2017, presenting Monday to Thursday 8-9pm and Sundays 7-9pm. [24]

In 2021, Grogan duetted with Sharleen Spiteri on the track "Look What You've Done", from Hi, the tenth album released by Johnny McElhone's band Texas. [25] [26] [27]

Writing

Grogan's first book was published in October 2008, a children's novel (aimed at age 7 and up) titled Tallulah and the Teenstars, about a girl, Tallulah Gosh, who forms a pop band. [28]

In 2015, it was followed by Tallulah On Tour. [29]

Tallulah Gosh was an alias Grogan thought of using at the start of her career because Equity had already registered a Claire Grogan and a more showbiz name might help her career, but Bill Forsyth persuaded her that she would come to regret it. [30]

The band Talulah Gosh took their name from the headline of an interview with Grogan in NME.

Personal life

Grogan married bandmate Stephen Lironi in Glasgow in 1994. They live in Haringey in north London, and adopted a daughter in 2005. [31]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lulu (singer)</span> Scottish singer

Lulu Kennedy-Cairns is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality. With a career spanning six decades, her debut single a cover version of The Isley Brothers song "Shout", reached the top ten of the UK Singles Charts in 1964. In 1967, she rose to international prominence after appearing in the box office film To Sir, with Love, singing the theme song which topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzi Quatro</span> American rock musician (born 1950)

Susan Kay Quatro is an American singer, bass guitarist, songwriter and actor. In the 1970s, she scored a string of singles that found success in Europe and Australia, with both "Can the Can" (1973) and "Devil Gate Drive" (1974) reaching No. 1 in several countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly Macdonald</span> Scottish actress

Kelly Macdonald is a Scottish actress. Known for her performances on film and television, she has received various accolades including a BAFTA Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katie Leung</span> Scottish actress (born 1987)

Katie Leung is a Scottish actress. She first gained fame for playing Cho Chang, the titular character's first love interest in the Harry Potter film series, and subsequently for her roles as Caitlyn Kiramman in the Netflix animated series Arcane and Ash in the Amazon Prime Video sci-fi series The Peripheral. Among British television audiences, Leung is known for her lead roles in the miniseries dramas One Child and Strangers and her supporting role in the police dramedy Annika.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristine Kochanski</span> Fictional character

Kristine Z. Kochanski is a fictional character from the British science fiction situation comedy Red Dwarf. Kochanski was the first console officer in the navigation chamber on board the spaceship Red Dwarf. As well as appearing in the television series, she is also a major character in the Red Dwarf novel Last Human. In series 1, 2, and 6 she was played by Clare Grogan and was then played by Chloë Annett for series 7 and 8, and the 2009 special Back to Earth.

<i>Gregorys Girl</i> 1981 Scottish film

Gregory's Girl is a 1980 Scottish coming-of-age romantic comedy film written and directed by Bill Forsyth and starring John Gordon Sinclair, Dee Hepburn and Clare Grogan. The film is set in and around a state secondary school in the Abronhill district of Cumbernauld.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Forsyth</span> Scottish film director and writer

William David Forsyth. known as Bill Forsyth, is a Scottish film director and writer known for his films Gregory's Girl (1981), Local Hero (1983) and Comfort and Joy (1984) as well as his adaptation of the Marilynne Robinson novel Housekeeping (1987).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kimberley Walsh</span> English singer, television personality and actress (born 1981)

Kimberley Jane Scott is an English singer, television personality and actress. She rose to fame in late 2002 when she auditioned for the reality series Popstars: The Rivals on ITV. The series announced that Walsh had won a place as a member of the girl group Girls Aloud. The group achieved large success, having twenty consecutive top ten singles in the UK, six studio albums have all been certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), two of which went to number one in the UK, and accumulating a total of five BRIT Award nominations. In 2009, Girls Aloud won "Best Single" with their song "The Promise".

John Gordon Sinclair is a Scottish actor. He is best known for playing Gregory in the 1981 film Gregory's Girl. There was a Gordon Sinclair already registered with Equity, so he took John Gordon Sinclair as his professional name. In 2019, Sinclair played Drew Cubbin in the BBC drama Traces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharleen Spiteri</span> Scottish singer (born 1967)

Sharleen Eugene Spiteri is a Scottish singer–songwriter and guitarist who has a contralto vocal range, best known as the lead singer of the rock band Texas, who rose to prominence in 1989 with the release of their debut single "I Don't Want a Lover". Their debut album, Southside (1989) was a commercial success, selling over two million copies. Follow up albums were less successful, however, the release of their fourth album White on Blonde (1997) returned the band to prominence, spawning the internationally successful singles "Say What You Want", "Halo", "Black Eyed Boy" and "Put Your Arms Around Me". Their commercial success continued during the late 1990s and into the early 2000s, with singles "In Our Lifetime", "Summer Son", "In Demand" and "Inner Smile". Following the release of their seventh album Red Book (2005), the band began a hiatus. In 2013, Texas's worldwide album sales were counted at 40 million records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elaine C. Smith</span> Scottish actor/ singer/ performer.

Elaine Constance Smith is a Scottish actress, comedian, and political activist. She rose to prominence from appearing in the BBC Scotland sitcoms City Lights (1984–1991) and Rab C. Nesbitt (1988–2014). Smith has played the role of Christine O'Neil in the BBC Scotland sitcom Two Doors Down (2013–present).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lindsay Duncan</span> Scottish actress

Lindsay Vere Duncan is a Scottish actress. She is the recipient of three BAFTA nominations and one Scottish BAFTA nomination, as well as two Olivier Awards and a Tony Award for her work on stage. She has starred in several plays by Harold Pinter. Duncan's film credits include Prick Up Your Ears (1987), The Reflecting Skin (1990), City Hall (1996), An Ideal Husband, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Mansfield Park, Under the Tuscan Sun, AfterLife, Starter for 10 (2006), Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (2010), About Time (2013), Birdman (2014), and Blackbird (2019).

<i>Comfort and Joy</i> (1984 film) 1984 Scottish film

Comfort and Joy is a 1984 Scottish comedy film written and directed by Bill Forsyth and starring Bill Paterson as a radio disc jockey whose life undergoes a bizarre upheaval after his girlfriend leaves him. After he witnesses an attack on an ice cream van by angry competitors, he is led into the struggle between two Italian families over the ice cream market of Glasgow. The film received a BAFTA Award Nomination for Best Original Screenplay in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashley Jensen</span> Scottish actress and narrator (born 1969)

Ashley Jensen is a Scottish actress and narrator. She is best known for her roles as Maggie Jacobs in Extras, Christina McKinney in Ugly Betty (2006–2010), Agatha Raisin in Agatha Raisin (2014–present), and DI Ruth Calder in Shetland (2023–present).

Daniela Nardini is a Scottish actress who played Anna Forbes in the BBC Two television series This Life. The role earned her a BAFTA Best Actress award in 1998 and also earned her a Scottish BAFTA. She won a second Scottish BAFTA in 2009 for her role in Annie Griffin's New Town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Prime</span> Musical artist

James Prime is a Scottish musician best known as the keyboard player for rock band Deacon Blue. Prime also lectures at the University of the West of Scotland. Known as a Hammond/piano player, his talents have been sought after by John Martyn, Johnny Hallyday, Phil Cunningham, Eddi Reader and Little Richard..

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Altered Images</span> Scottish new wave/post-punk band

Altered Images are a Scottish new wave/post-punk band who found success in the early 1980s. Fronted by singer Clare Grogan, the group branched into mainstream pop music, having six UK top-40 hit singles and three top-30 albums from 1981 to 1983. Their hits include "Happy Birthday", "I Could Be Happy", "See Those Eyes", and "Don't Talk to Me About Love".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miranda Hart</span> English comedian

Miranda Katherine Hart Dyke is an English actress, comedian and writer. Following drama training at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, Hart began writing material for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and making appearances in BBC sitcoms, including Hyperdrive (2006–2007) and Not Going Out (2006–2009).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheila Reid</span> British actress (born 1937)

Sheila Reid is a Scottish actress, known for playing Madge Harvey in the ITV sitcom Benidorm (2007–2018). An original member of the Royal National Theatre in 1963, she played Bianca in the National's 1965 film version of Othello, with Laurence Olivier in the title role. Her other film appearances include Brazil (1985), The Winter Guest (1997) and Containment (2015).

<i>The Worst Witch</i> (2017 TV series) Fantasy drama childrens television series

The Worst Witch is a fantasy drama children's television series. Based on novel series of the same name published in 1974 by Jill Murphy, the series follows Mildred Hubble and her friends Maud Spellbody and Enid Nightshade and rivals Ethel Hallow, Drusilla Paddock and Felicity Foxglove's adventures and education at Cackle's Academy under caring headmistress Miss Cackle and strict deputy headmistress Miss Hardbroom. It is the fifth adaptation of The Worst Witch series after the 1986 television film, the 1998 television series, the 2001 television spin-off and the 2005 television spin-off.

References

  1. ↑ "Clare Grogan" . Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  2. ↑ "Biographies: Clare Grogan". STV. 20 March 2009. Archived from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  3. ↑ "Clare Grogan: Kissing Ian Beale wasn't so bad, actually (interview)". Metro. 10 April 2003. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  4. ↑ "Centre Stage:Clare Gorgan on Success". The Herald. 14 November 2011 – via PressReader.
  5. ↑ "Altered Images – Now Claire must change her name". Evening Standard . 21 August 1984. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  6. ↑ "University of Glasgow – MyGlasgow – Archives & Special Collections – Scottish Theatre Archive". www.gla.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012.
  7. ↑ "fringe round-up: Lady Macbeth Firmed My Buttocks". The Independent. 15 August 1996.
  8. ↑ "Alter Girl". The Herald (Glasgow) . 8 September 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  9. ↑ Scotland at the Movies: Attack on Gregory's Girl. Archived 6 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  10. ↑ "How Clare survived 25 years in showbiz". Evening Times. October 2007.
  11. ↑ Irish Times (29 July 2015). "The Secret Lives of Father Ted". Irish Times . Archived from the original on 29 July 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  12. ↑ "Clare Grogan to Present Critics' Award for Theatre in Scotland – Edinburgh Guide". www.edinburghguide.com.
  13. ↑ "Altered Images star films in Brighton". The Argus. 9 October 2003.
  14. ↑ "Clare Grogan". IMDb.
  15. ↑ Wightman, Catriona (7 February 2011). "Clare Grogan explains 'Skins' role". Digital Spy.
  16. ↑ "Interview: Clare Grogan". www.scotsman.com. 19 August 2017.
  17. ↑ Armstrong, Gary (15 February 2020). "New food TV show Corner Shop Cook Off is ultimate test for Scotland's top celebrity chefs". Glasgow Live. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  18. ↑ "Corner Shop Cook-Off". BBC. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  19. ↑ "Corner Shop Cook-Off". BBC. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  20. ↑ "The Ultimate Celtic Album". Amazon UK. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  21. ↑ "Contestants – The Final" . Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  22. ↑ "BBC Radio 4 – John Shuttleworth's Lounge Music, Series 2, Episode 2". BBC.
  23. ↑ "How we made: Gary Kemp and Steve Norman on True". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  24. ↑ "Clare Grogan to host nightly on Absolute 80s". Radio Today. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  25. ↑ "Texas Announce New Album 'Hi'". Clash Magazine. 6 April 2021.
  26. ↑ "Texas announce new album Hi, share new single Mr Haze". www.officialcharts.com.
  27. ↑ "'Mr Haze' the new single from Texas out now". 6 April 2021.
  28. ↑ "Singer Clare Grogan launches children's book". Birmingham Mail . 23 October 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  29. ↑ "Clare Grogan: I drew on my pop star past to write a book for my daughter". The Guardian. 7 March 2015.
  30. ↑ Coventry, Laura (28 September 2008). "Novel character Tallulah Gosh is based on me, reveals Clare Grogan". Daily Record.
  31. ↑ "Clare Grogan: Love at first sight when I met my baby girl". The Mirror. 29 September 2006. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Clare Grogan talking about adoption for BAAF at YouTube.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.