Fat Friends
Interesting extra bits
OUR FAT FRIENDS - WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
One of the most fabulous things about Fat Friends was its wonderful central cast, some of whom were already household names, others nearer the start of their career. All of them have gone on to do varied and interesting things within the entertainment industry. Read on to find out who’s been busy pole dancing, and who else has featured on Countdown’s Dictionary Corner!!!!
Betty Simpson – Alison Steadman
Since Fat Friends Alison has appeaed in The worst week of my life, Miss Marple, TV films such as The Dinner Party and Fanny Hill, and the Brit Flick Confetti. Most recently, she’s played Pam on the hit BBC3 show Gavin and Stacey.
Alison Steadman and Barrie Rutter as chip shop owners Betty and Douglas.
Douglas Simpson – Barrie Rutter
Barrie Rutter founded the Northern Broadside theatre company in 1992. based in the historic Dean Clough Mill in Halifax, West Yorkshire. The company has built up a formidable reputation performing Shakespeare and classical texts with an innovative, popular and regional style, often in unconventional locations (The Tower of London, cattle markets, churches, indoor riding stables, Victorian mills). In 2009 Barrie is directing Lenny Henry in their production of Othello, which is produced in partnership with the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Kelly Simpson – Ruth Jones
Since Fat Friends, Ruth has scarcely been off our television screens, first playing Linda in Nighty Night, then taking on the role of Myfanwy in Little Britain. She then went onto play Magz in Steve Coogan’s Saxondale, and it was Coogan’s company Baby Cow, who went onto make Gavin and Stacey, the hit BBC3 show that Ruth penned with Fat Friends co-star James Cordon. Ruth still enjoys acting as well as writing future episodes of G & S – she’s recently been seen in Tess of the D’Ubervilles and Little Dorrit.
Sexy Ruth Jones! 
Kevin Chadwick – Jonathan Ryland
Kevin has recently been working on Laura Ben and Him for ITV2, having also appeared in Pulling, and Mutual Friends. He also played a cameo part in the blockbuster film The Dark Knight.
Val Lorrimer – Kathryn Hunt
After Fat Friends, Kathryn spent three years playing the part of Angela Harries on Coronation Street. She moved on from that to the past of Pauline in Drop Dead Gorgeous and this year has also had a featured role in Holby City.
Alan – Richard Ridings Richard has been busy since Fat Friends, appearing on everything from TimeWatch to Shakespeare Re-Told. Most recently he has been seen on The Roman Mysteries, and even featured in the Video Game Ninja Sword.
Carol McGarry – Janet Dibley
Throughout Fat Friends, Janet was also starring in Casualty and went on to play roles in Heartbeat, Where the Heart Is, and The Bill. She returned to Yorkshire to work on The Chase for Rollem, playing the part of Deborah Johnson.
Jamie at a weekly"weigh in" with the stick insect as Carol was (sort of) affectionately known!
Jamie Rymer – James Corden
During Fat Friends, James could also be seen as Jeremy in the show Teachers on Channel 4. A short time later, he went on to star in Alan Bennett's stage and screenplay The History Boys. During this time he was also penning Gavin and Stacey with Fat Friends co-star Ruth Jones. He is now filming Horne & Corden – a sketch show for BBC3 with G&S co-star Matthew Horne.
Rebecca Patterson – Lisa Riley
Since Fat Friends, Lisa’s television appearances have included The Bill, Having it Off,Heroes and Villains, and Holby City. Additionally, Lisa starred with Sharon Osbourne in the hugely popular Vagina Monologues. She also went on to tour with the award winning play The Play What I Wrote as the surprise celebrity guest. She is touring with the The Naked Truth, a brilliantly funny play about sisterhood set in a pole dancing class!
Julia and her mixing bowl. 
Julia Fleshman – Josie Lawrence
Already a household name from her quick-witted comedy skills in Whose Line is it Anyway, after finishing Fat Friends, Josie went on to star in the stage musical adaptation of Acorn Antiques. She has since appeared on TV as Phoebe in The Complete Guide to Parenting, and most recently as Liz Jenkins in the second series of Skins. In 2008 she took the lead role in Tom Stoppard’s Hapgood at Birmingham Rep and the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Max Robertson – David Harewood
Max went onto film a role in the critically acclaimed film Blood Diamond starring Leonardo Di Caprio. Since then, he has seldom been away from our TV screens, playing Patrick Nye in the mini series The Last Enemy and Major Simon Brooks in the ITV series The Palace. He also appeared as Freddie Graham in the hugely popular BBC seriale Criminal Justice, and is due to be seen as Friar Tuck in the next season of Robin Hood.
Max puts Kelly through her paces.
Lauren Harris - Gaynor Faye
After Fat Friends, Gaynor went on to tackle the role of a stripper in the ITV mini series Between the Sheets. She also appeared in the Rollem drama The Chase as one of the co-leads, Anna Williams. Most recently, Gaynor has been touring the country in the stage production of Calendar Girls.
Norma Patterson – Lynda Barron
Lynda is probably best known for her role as Nurse Gladys Emanuel in Open All Hours. However, since Fat Friends, she has also appeared in Rome, Holby City, Linda Clarke in Eastenders, and Barbara Cross in Doctors. This year she’s also been on the dictionary corner on Countdown!
