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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Entertainment
Abbie Meehan

Where Scottish stars of ITV's Taggart are now from day jobs to tragic loss

Taggart was one of the most popular, long-running British TV series of the mid-1980's, as it spanned 27 series from 1983 until 2010.

Plenty of people are familiar with the iconic Scottish dialect line from the ITV show: "There's been a murder."

But what are the cast of the popular ITV show doing now, a decade on from its final season? Find out more below:

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Mark McManus - DCI Jim Taggart

A tough Glaswegian cop, Mark played DCI Jim Taggart from 1983 onwards until his sad passing in 1994.

Mark was an admirable character on the show, and was known for his charitable work with the homeless, prisoners and victims of crime.

The actor died aged 59 of pneumonia after a long battle with alcohol-related illnesses, while still being a prominent star on the show.

Mark McManus played the titular DCI Jim Taggart. (ITV)

Neil Duncan - DS Peter Livingstone

Neil hit the show as Taggart's sidekick DS Peter Livingstone, the shows first sidekick and a short stint on the ITV show continued from then.

He then appeared in two series of Taggart, and then went on to appear in The Hound of the Baskervilles, and Sherlock Holmes.

He also was prominent for his voice acting roles, appearing on video games including X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse and Tomb Raider: Legend.

Now, the 64-year-old is an estate agent over in the States, in Hollywood.

Neil Duncan was the show's first sidekick. (ITV)

Iain Anders - Superintendent Jack McVitie

Iain joined the Taggart cast in 1985 as Superintendent Jack McVitie, nickname 'The Biscuit' - thanks to his hilarious last name.

The actor appeared in 40 episodes of the show, and sadly passed away in 1997 aged 64.

Iain Anders joined the show in 1985. (STV)

James MacPherson - DCI Michael Jardine

James became the lead of Taggart after Mark McManus' untimely death. (Scottish Television)

Shortly after Neil Duncan left Taggart, James MacPherson hopped in to become the newest sidekick, DCI Michael Jardine.

Following the sad passing of Mark McManus in 1994, James became the new lead of Taggart, but left in 2002 due to a collapsed lung.

After this, James set up an acting company alongside actress Emma Currie, and appeared in a lot of theatre productions.

Most recently, James was the voice of Sir Alex Ferguson's autobiography.

Blythe Duff - WPC Jackie Reid

Blythe Duff was the second longest serving cast member. (Handout)

Blythe was the second longest serving member of the Taggart cast, just after James MacPherson as she portrayed WPC Jackie Reid.

Blythe was promoted to Detective Inspector during her stint on the show, and has admitted since that she prefers theatre to television.

Blythe was most recently appearing in a theatre production of the Harry Potter series just before the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Colin McCredie - DC Stuart Fraser

Colin McCredie landed his breakout role on Taggart. (Daily Record)

Colin is another actor who landed his starring role on Taggart when he joined as DC Stuart Fraser in 1995.

Colin remained with the show until it ended in 2010 and has since gone on to appear in the soap River City.

The 49-year-old also was on CBeebies in the series Woolly and Tig alongside his young daughter in 2014.

John Michie - DI Robbie Ross

John Michie joined the cast in 1998. (BBC)

John joined Taggart as DI Robbie Ross in 1998 and remained with the show until it ended.

Since then, John became a screen regular after being added into Coronation Street as Karl Munro from 2011 to 2013, and as CEO Guy Self in Holby City and its sister show, Casualty.

Alex Norton - DCI Matt Burke

Alex Norton joined the show in 2002. (Handout)

Alex played DCI Matt Burke in Taggart from 2002 until 2010 and has appeared in high profile films during his career including Braveheart, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and Les Miserables.

He has also starred in Waterloo Road and currently plays Eric in Scottish comedy Two Doors Down.

Robert Robertson - Dr Stephen Andrews

Robert Robertson played Dr Stephen Andrews (PA)

Actor Robert was best known for his Taggart role as Dr Stephen Andrews.

His other standout TV roles included The Ambassadors of Death, a Doctor Who serial and The Day of the Triffids. The actor also done a lot of theatre and also took up the role of director.

He died at 70 after having a heart attack while reading a Robert Burns poem on stage.

Harriet Buchan - Jean Taggart

Harriet Buchan played Taggart's wife Jean. (Handout)

Harriet played DCI Jim Taggart’s wife, Jean Taggart, who was wheelchair bound after giving birth to their child.

Harriet appeared in a number of other shows including Garnock Way and Take the High Road.

She then launched a sound, voice and therapy workshop that take place all over the world.

These characters were all an integral part to one of Scotland's best ever crime drama series, and became widely appreciated across the UK.

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