Two Doors Down writer has 'nailed' Christmas special, says Grado

Grado has carved out a career in both wrestling and television

Wrestler and actor Grado has said the return of popular sitcom Two Doors Down surprised the show's stars as much as fans.

The comedy series was thought to have ended after the sudden death of creator Simon Carlyle in 2023, but it was announced this week that a one-off episode has been filmed for Christmas.

Grado - real name Graeme Stevely - told BBC Scotland News that writer Gregor Sharp "totally nailed" the tone of the series with the new script.

The Ayrshire native also said he will continue to grapple as well as act, ahead of a special appearance for All Elite Wrestling as the American promotion records its TV shows in Glasgow.

Grado joined the cast of Two Doors Down in the show's third season and said returning to play the rather hapless Alan has been a joy.

The episode has been penned by the show's co-creator Gregor Sharp, who co-wrote many previous episodes with Carlyle.

Grado said: "We were told it'd never come back, then did a read through of an old episode at the BBC comedy festival last year and it was amazing.

"From the audience reaction we realised how big it was, after I think being a hidden gem for years. Then, randomly, the script arrived for a Christmas special.

"I was like 'hmm' because Gregor Sharp is amazing and had co-created it with Simon, but it's a big thing to take on by yourself. I read it and was like 'you've nailed it – it's got the sparkle, emotion, the tone."

He added he would happily sign up for more tales in Latimer Crescent, whether with more TV episodes or in a rumoured stage show at the OVO Hydro.

The popular sitcom will return at Christmas

Grado is already booked for a Hydro appearance on Wednesday, when he returns to the ring with AEW - the upstart promotion that has muscled in on industry leader World Wrestling Entertainment's turf.

The company has held two shows at Wembley Stadium in 2023 and 2024, and is filming its main TV shows - Dynamite and Collision - in Scotland, before heading to London for a PPV event called Forbidden Door on Sunday.

Grado previously appeared for the group at Wembley, and said he was thrilled to add a homegrown flavour to the company's Scottish debut.

"The fact they're bringing two of their weekly shows here is amazing," he says.

"I made an appearance at Wembley and, although I've done plenty in wrestling over the years, that was superb.

"The thing I'm raging about is that I never took it all in, so whatever I do on Wednesday I want to make sure I enjoy it."

Grado will continue to wrestle as he develops his acting career, he says

The grappler added he would love to work with a couple of the company's biggest stars - brash and arrogant villain MJF and popular high-flyer Will Osperay.

Though Grado admits that high-flying - where wrestlers use acrobatic moves to attack their opponents, sometimes by leaping from ropes - is not his area of expertise.

He added: "I'd love to wrestle Osperay. Wrestling's entertainment at the end of the day so you can mix different styles, though I'd probably be devastated for the people who'd paid money to see him, though…"

Will Osperay is one of the biggest stars in All Elite Wrestling

Grado may not be backflipping from heights, but his mix of good-natured comedy and underdog spirit has led him to a lengthy career, both as a wrestler and as a media personality.

He is a regular radio presenter and pops up in pantomime every winter, as well as being a father at home.

He has another goal in mind for the future - trying acting that moves away from the laughs.

"I really want to do more serious acting," he said. "I did Crime [TV adaptation of the Irvine Welsh book] as a drug dealer type and it's such a challenge when you're usually doing comedy."

Yet he sometimes can't help himself with the japes.

Several years ago he was in Florida visiting wresting veteran Jeff Jarrett, which led to a meeting with Hulk Hogan - the controversial wrestling icon who shot to fame during the 1980s.

Grado recalls: "We went to Hogan's wrestling shop. His manager Jimmy Hart was there, and he's like 'wanna meet the big man?'

"Jeff said I was the Scottish version of him, and I don't know why I did it but I took my top off and started flexing like Hogan would do.

"He was like 'oh, you've got the moves... ' It was on Facebook Live though, so about 20 minutes later one of the tabloids did a story and called me Bulk Hogan. That brought me down to Earth…"