STILL Game star Jane McCarry has revealed she’s had to wear extra padding to play chubby busybody Isa in the new series of the hit comedy.
Sitcom actress Jane, 47, has a slim new look after fulfilling a pledge to get fit following the last series of the BBC favourite.
But she admits her healthy-living regime left her worried about getting into character as Osprey Heights’ nosy neighbour Isa Drennan.
She said: “Me and my Still Game pal Mark Cox said we wanted to turn things around after we did the last series.
“I’ve dieted all my life, and I’ve put on every pound I ever took off.
“But I swore I wasn’t coming back this year not having done something about it.
“But I had to get quite a bit of padding, more than normal. I really worried I’d look younger, but if anything I think having a slimmer face makes me look older as Isa.”
Jane rejected a lifetime of boom and bust diets, going instead for a lifestyle overhaul.
Co-star Mark, who plays Craiglang miser Tam Mullen, joined her in getting into shape.
He said: “I’ve always jogged but I used to go running with a packet of fags.
“But it’s important to be fit, especially in this job and especially as you get older.
The pair are currently starring in Snow White at Greenock’s Beacon Arts Centre, which runs until December 31.
Jane said: “It’s hard to keep it up when you’re working on panto.
“But I’ve not gone on any diet and I’ve not weighed myself. I’m done with all that, I’m too old for it. I just basically decided I wanted to be healthy and get fit.
“I’ve been going to body pump, it’s about being fit and strong, and running, too.
“Every time I lost weight before it was for a particular event, then I’d go back to my old ways.
“The hardest part is not doing that, but if it happens then so what? You can always start again.”
Jane loves the panto tradition, and Snow White marks the pair’s third year at the Inverclyde production.
She said: “I love playing a baddie. I hate it when baddies are funny, so I’m determined to be as wicked as possible.
“And the kids are so well behaved.
“Nobody has ever thrown so much as a single sweetie at us.
“They must all be relaxed being by the water down here.”
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