It's all happening in Shieldinch next month as Gary Lamont bows out of River City after eight years on the popular Scottish soap.

In what promises to be one of the most interesting exits on the BBC Scotland show, Steps singer Claire Richards will be making a cameo appearance as part of Gary's character, Robbie Fraser's final storyline. 

The episode which airs on BBC One Scotland next month centres around a life-changing opportunity for former hairdresser Robbie – a chance to go on tour with Britpop legends Steps.

It sounds like a dream come true for Robbie, but it's not the first time Gary and Claire have crossed paths. 

Wrting in his Evening Times column in 2015, Gary gushed about being a Steps superfan after an impromptu night out in Glasgow with Claire, actor Joe McFadden and Paisley singer Paolo Nutini. 

Glasgow Times:

Speaking about his love for Steps, Gary said at the time: "I can't even pretend to be cool about this, I was a total Steps fanatic when I was younger. An out and out pop tart, and I don't care who knows it.

"I'm not just saying this but Claire was my favourite Steps member, she has the best voice by far and I can say this because my pal Ryan and I went to see them three times at the SECC."

Glasgow Times:

Since making his debut on the soap in 2009, Gary's character has been involved in some of the soap’s most dramatic storylines including the first civil partnership in Scottish drama in 2012.

Robbie and partner Will were also embroiled in a dramatic gay domestic abuse storyline in 2014.

Read more: Me, Claire from Steps and Paolo Nutini partying it up in the Admiral bar

More recently, Robbie became addicted to prescription painkillers and in the last episode his character was seen taking an accidental overdose.

Gary's final episode on River City airs on BBC One Scotland on Tuesday, August 8 at 8pm.