Perth’s Lorna Craig wins top award for River City performances

Mar 30 2010 by Sheanne Mulholland

PERTH actress Lorna Craig has been crowned Scotland’s best new acting talent.

Beating off tough competition, the River City star took the title at the Scottish Variety Awards on Friday.

Sweeping onto the stage to collect the award in a stunning white gown, Lorna (24) – who burst onto our screens last year as popular character Jennifer – was gracefully overwhelmed.

“I’m so excited and surprised to have won, it’s just amazing, I can’t believe it,” she told the PA.

“Because it was voted for by the public it makes it feel so special. That people would go out of their way to vote for me is unbelievable, it’s just such an honour.”

Ms Craig was introduced as “the one to look out for” by hosts and radio stars Martel Maxwell and Colin Kelly.

Despite being a new face to TV viewers, the Perth resident made her acting debut at the age of 12 in the Fair City Singers’s production of Alice in Wonderland.

She beat off competition from Karen Gillan who plays Amy in Doctor Who and Gary Tank Commander stars Greg McHugh and Paul-James Corrigan.

During her acceptance speech, Lorna said: “Thank you to the most important people, that’s my mum and dad, brother Stuart and gorgeous fiance Jamie.

Special

“And thank you to Morag Bain and everyone at River City for the opportunity — obviously I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Morag Bain, the Glasgow-based soap’s series producer, was at the event to support rising star Lorna – and insisted she was on her way to becoming a big star.

“I knew when I first met her and interviewed her for the part of Jennifer that she was very special, which is why we cast her,” she said.

“I’m thrilled for her. She’s an absolute sweetheart and a joy to work with. She has worked so hard and really deserves this.”

The glamorous night saw the Scottish stars out in force, including singers Paolo Nutini and Katie Sutherland from Pearl and the Puppets, SFA boss Gordon Smith, weatherman Sean Batty and Miss Scotland Katharine Brown.

Amy Macdonald also performed at the £850-a-table event in the Crowne Plaza, Glasgow, held in aid of Cash for Kids.

Cash for Kids charity manager Sharon Taylor said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been selected as the Scottish Variety Awards’ beneficiary this year.

“And as we have no operating costs, all the money raised will go straight to the children.”