ACTORS are smashing it in rehearsals for a new production about legendary Glasgow boxer, Benny Lynch.  

River City favourite Stephen Purdon stars as Scotland's first ever world champion in 'The Benny Lynch Story', which was penned by Gourock playwright, David Carswell.

Purdon, along with co-stars Simon Weir and Paul Keating, were at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock - one of the venues on the tour - for a short run-through for a new STV entertainments programme.

Rehearsals have just got under way and the seven-strong cast are excited to get on stage and start bringing the story to life.

Main man Purdon has pulled no punches when it comes to his role as Benny Lynch.

He has been training like a professional in between filming of the BBC Scotland soap River City and told purt sister publication, The Greenock Telegraph: "This is the fittest I've ever felt.

"I've been doing boxing training twice a week, been going to the gym a lot more, watching what I'm eating and stuff so it's been good going.

"It's been a long process where we've all been involved trying to get it off the ground, so I'm looking forward to it."

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The show documents the rise and fall of a Scottish sporting icon, from his rough upbringing in the Gorbals area of Glasgow to global stardom after becoming the country's first world boxing champion.

It also documents his battles with alcohol and the law, which led to his death at the age of 33.

Simon weir, who is also co-producing the play through his company Cathkin Park Ltd, says it has been seven years in the making.

Like the cast, Gourock writer David Carswell, who was behind the successful 2017 'Mon Eh Ton!' Morton play, is now desperate to take the show on the road.

He said: "It's quite a lot doing a 14-date tour the length and breadth of the country but we're having fun.

"The first show is on May 18 and we're here at the Beacon on June 1. "I wanted it to be entertaining first and foremost and that's what it is.

"I've written it in such a way that there's comedy and drama and so that you don't have to be a boxing fan to enjoy the show."

Tickets are on sale now from www.beaconartscentre.co.uk