River City star Gayle Telfer Stevens shares her love for the soap ahead of anniversary episode

Ahead of a special anniversary episode which will air on Monday, September 26, Gayle Telfer Stevens took the time to reflect on her years of playing feisty bar worker Caitlin McLean in the fictional village of Shieldinch.

Pictured: River City star Gayle Telfer Stevens (Image: newsquest)

She said: “I had just graduated from drama school down in London when River City started, and I remember everyone was trying to get onto it.

“Even from the beginning, it was huge.

“I was on the phone to my agent saying ‘you’ve got to get me an audition’ but it didn’t happen.

“When the opportunity did come in 2015 I told myself not to get too excited just in case.

“Even eight years later I don’t have twinkly lights or even a kettle in my dressing room.

“I’m superstitious to the core and taking no chances.”

Gayle’s time at River City has seen her character face a number of challenging storylines from harrowing family feuds to a gripping murder trial.

Sharing her love for her onscreen persona she said: “I’m so grateful to have had such great storylines.

“It’s been a career highlight.

“Caitlin is a diamond in the rough with a spiky tongue and a really good heart.

“I suppose she’s a bit like myself.”

“I shoot from the hip but I’m also dead sensitive and I don’t think people know that.

“I’d like to see her have a bit more family around her in the future, maybe a long-lost cousin or something would be fun.

“Other than that I’d love to have a wee affair with Bob.”

Pictured: Stephen Purdon as Bob O’Hara and Scott Fletcher as Angus Lindsay (Image: newsquest)

The special anniversary episode of the soap penned by Johnny McKnight will see Bob O’Hara (Stephen Purdon) and best friend Angus Lindsay (Scott Fletcher) drink a mystical blue liquid that transports them to a parallel universe.

There are plenty of laughs along the way with a whole host of familiar faces returning to the streets of Shieldinch including Paul Samson as Raymond and Deirdre Davis as Eileen Donachie.

Gayle said: “I felt like I was on the first day at a new job.

“There were so many iconic people back for the day.

“I’m from a different time to a lot of them but we all had this big thing in common.

“There was such a buzz in the air and it was lovely to be a part of.”

It’s an exciting time for the cast and crew as they pass an incredible milestone and continue to set the standard as trailblazers of Scottish television.

 “The most special thing about River City is the people”, Gayle said.

 “You would not believe the amount of work, talent and love that goes into making our programme every week.

“It’s a well-oiled machine.

“We have so much passion for what we do and the characters that we play.

"I think that’s why it’s stood the test of time."