RAB C. Nesbitt is making a comeback at the Hydro.

And he’s following in the footsteps of fellow Scots comedy sitcom giant Still Game in taking his dysfunctional family and friends to Scotland’s largest indoor venue.

Rab C. began life back in 1988 as part of a TV comedy sketch in Naked Video and went on to become a national television success story, running for 67 episodes and attracting up to four million viewers.

Read more: Still Game is a story about survival, says director Michael Hines

The sitcom, which stars Gregor Fisher, Elaine C.Smith, Tony Roper and Barbara Rafferty, last appeared as a television special in 2014.

Since then, Rab and Co have been busy  working on a range of projects (Fisher and Roper will appear as Dames in the King’s Theatre panto Cinderella this year, while  Smith stars in Dick McWhittington at  Her Majesty’s in Aberdeen.)

But the Nesbitt family’s popularity – it was also a huge national stage show  success back in 1992 - has never waned.

And the show is set for a Hydro run at the end of next year.

Read more: Still Game is a story about survival, says director Michael Hines

“The Nesbitts aren’t victims of the recession,” says writer Ian Pattison, smiling.

“Their lives are in permanent recession. Poverty never goes out of fashion.”

Ian Pattison explains how Rab’s revival came about.

“Bringing Rab back on stage was first talked about a couple of years ago.

“Like everything else in life, the timing had to be right. Back then, we were all doing other things.

“However, the clock is ticking louder, we’re all growing older and we don’t have time to defer our readiness.”

The writer adds; “How is Rab these days? He’s still at that awkward age – too young for the bowling green, too old for crystal meth.”

Ian Pattison pointed out that bringing Nesbitt to the stage - with a completely new storyline - is  far more straightforward than taking him back to television.

Read more: Still Game is a story about survival, says director Michael Hines

“I met with Colin Gilbert recently, who directed and produced all the Nesbitt episodes.

“It was enjoyable to talk. It was the way things used to be before the frustrations of TV bureaucracy intervened.

“Nesbitt was a show that liked to romp in the clover but corporate nervousness over the last couple of years tended to ankle tag its freedoms.

“I understand this – the BBC reflects the uncertain times in which we live.

“But stage traditionally offers more licence and latitude and it feels right that the trinity that rocked Rab’s cradle into existence - myself, Gregor and Colin, should be there to steer him drunk into his pine box.”

The writer adds, grinning; “Who knows – maybe he won’t go there quietly – if at all.’’

  • Dates for Rab C. Nesbitt at the Hydro have not yet been finalised but the shows are expected to go ahead in late autumn.

The number of nights available is yet to be confirmed.