River City actor arrested and charged with domestic abuse offences

River City star Iain Robertson has been charged with domestic abuse offences.

The Bafta-winning actor who plays manipulative character Stevie O’Hara in the long-­running Scottish soap set in the fictional Shieldinch district of Glasgow, has refused to comment on the charges brought by Police Scotland.

BBC Scotland said last night: “We are aware of this – but as it is a police matter we will not be commenting further.”

Robertson’s agent, Belinda Wight, who heads up the London-based CDA agency, said: “I’m really sorry but I am not able to comment on this situation.”

The actor has been absent from storylines in recent weeks, and we can reveal the close-knit cast of River City has been taken aside by bosses and told Robertson will not be back on screen for the foreseeable future.

Actors are freelance rather than staff, which means it would be difficult to suspend a cast member in such circumstances.

‘Everyone is shocked’

Cast members have been sworn to secrecy by bosses and instructed not to talk about the actor’s ongoing disappearance from the soap.

One insider said: “Everybody was told to keep quiet and say nothing at all about the situation. They were told Robertson won’t be back on set for the foreseeable future. Everyone is shocked.”

Born in Govan, Glasgow, Robertson, 42, replaced actor Cas Harkins, who had played the role of Stevie O’Hara until 2005.

Robertson joined River City in 2017, quickly leading on major storylines revolving around his mother Scarlett, played by actress Sally Howitt.

Described in the soap as a “devious thrill-seeker” the fictional character Stevie O’Hara enjoys manipulating people and treating them badly, like a cat playing with a mouse.

In revenge for his screen mother Scarlett shopping him to the police in a desperate bid to get the character off drugs, he framed her as a drug dealer and saw her sent to jail before repenting and helping her get free.

Robertson grew up in a family of seven in a Glasgow tenement and has spoken about never believing he could become an actor until a supportive schoolteacher encouraged him, ­praising his talent for drama.

His talent shone from an early age, winning a scholarship to the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School in London, which has spawned a galaxy of stars.

Robertson portrayed Lex in the cult Glasgow gang film Small Faces and starred in the long-running iconic series Grange Hill as well as playing “Gash” in Rab C Nesbitt.

Steven Spielberg picked Robertson for his Band of Brothers series, and the actor has had parts in everything from Taggart to Rebus and Casualty.

He was in popular ­paranormal series Sea of Souls alongside Dawn Steele.

He said that coming from Govan put “fire in my belly, made me push harder and also appreciate the things that have come my way”.

Robertson, whose three-year marriage ended 15 years ago, has spoken in the past about quitting drinking and how walking in the hills has been a game-changer for him.

When contacted, the actor refused to make any comment.

Police Scotland said: “A 42-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with domestic offences.

“He has been released on an undertaking and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”