Few Scottish comedians have left a mark as deep as Ford Kiernan. From tailoring suits to creating two of Scotland’s most beloved sitcoms, his career took an unexpected turn when personal tragedy reshaped his path. This article looks at the facts behind his life, his partnership with Greg Hemphill, and what he’s doing now.

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Full Name: Ford John Kiernan ·
Born: 10 January 1962 ·
Occupation: Actor, comedian, writer ·
Known For: Chewin’ the Fat, Still Game ·
Early Career: Tailor before comedy

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact circumstances surrounding the death of his son have not been publicly detailed by the family
  • Whether Kiernan and Hemphill had a serious falling out or simply took a break
  • Any family relationship between Ford Kiernan and Shelby May (likely a misconception)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Six key facts, one pattern: Kiernan’s public story is built around two creative peaks and one devastating private loss.

Fact Detail
Full Name Ford John Kiernan
Born 10 January 1962, Glasgow, Scotland
Occupation Actor, comedian, writer
Years Active 1995–present
Known For Chewin’ the Fat, Still Game
Notable Collaborator Greg Hemphill

What happened to Ford Kiernan’s son?

Details of the tragedy

In January 2014, Ford Kiernan’s 12-year-old son was found dead at the family home in Glasgow’s west end. The BBC reported the news as a sudden death at the property, with police treating it as unexplained but not suspicious (BBC News). The Daily Express named the boy as Sonny Kiernan and said he was found dead in bed (Daily Express (national newspaper)). The Times also covered the story, noting tributes that poured in from fans and colleagues (The Times (UK broadsheet newspaper)).

The upshot

The loss of a child is a private trauma made public when you are a household name. For Kiernan, it created a silence around his personal life that has never fully lifted.

How Ford Kiernan coped publicly

Kiernan has not spoken at length about the event in interviews. He remained out of the spotlight for a period before returning to work on the Still Game revival in 2016. The tragedy is widely cited in biographical profiles as a turning point that affected his professional rhythm.

Bottom line: The death of Kiernan’s 12-year-old son in 2014 is a confirmed fact reported by multiple Tier‑1 and Tier‑2 sources, but the family has kept the circumstances private.

The implication: The tragedy remains a deeply private matter, yet it clearly shaped Kiernan’s later career choices.

Did Ford and Greg fall out?

Rumors of a split

After the original run of Still Game ended in 2007, Kiernan and Hemphill pursued separate projects. Online forums have long speculated about a rift. However, no confirmed public falling out has been reported by any credible source. The pair simply took a hiatus from working together.

Their professional relationship after Still Game

In 2016, BBC News announced that Kiernan and Hemphill were reuniting for a new series of Still Game, with Kiernan telling the BBC they were “super happy” to be back (BBC News (UK public service broadcaster)). The revival ran for three series until 2019. More recently, an IMDb news item dated 23 May 2025 reported that the two had “ended their six‑year feud” to reunite for a stage show based on the sitcom (IMDb News). That claim, while unconfirmed by the duo themselves, suggests any earlier friction has been resolved.

Bottom line: No credible evidence of a serious falling out exists. Kiernan and Hemphill have worked together on and off for over two decades.

The pattern: Their creative partnership endured despite professional breaks, and future collaboration remains on the table.

What is Ford Kiernan doing now?

Recent projects and appearances

Since the final episode of Still Game aired in 2019, Kiernan has continued to perform and write. He has taken on film and TV roles, though his public profile has been lower than during the sitcom’s peak. He and Hemphill appeared in a 2024 YouTube video discussing a comic‑book extension of the Still Game characters (YouTube). In 2025, fan chatter on Instagram and the IMDb news item point to a possible stage show reunion (Instagram (social media platform)).

Greg Hemphill’s current activities

Hemphill has remained active in writing and performing, including work on the sitcom Burnistoun and other BBC Scotland projects. He and Kiernan share management and have maintained a working relationship.

The catch

The 2025 reunion reports are based on a single IMDb news item (third‑tier source) and unverified social‑media posts. Without confirmation from Kiernan, Hemphill, or a recognised outlet, fans should treat the news as speculative.

What this means: Kiernan remains active, but his next move is still unannounced.

What is Ford Kiernan’s real name?

Birth name vs stage name

Ford Kiernan’s full birth name is Ford John Kiernan, as recorded in multiple biographical sources (Wikipedia). “Ford” is his given name, not a stage pseudonym. He was named after his father, and the name has been used consistently throughout his career.

Why he uses Ford

Unlike many comedians who adopt a stage name for marketability, Kiernan has never used an alias. His birth name appears on official credits for Chewin’ the Fat and Still Game.

Bottom line: Ford Kiernan’s real name is Ford John Kiernan. No stage name or pseudonym involved.

The implication: His authenticity extends to his identity – what you see is what you get.

Are Ford Kiernan and Shelby May related?

Nature of the rumor

A search query pairing Ford Kiernan with the name Shelby May appears in online forums. No evidence of any family relationship exists in any credible source. The connection may stem from a joke or a confusion with a different public figure.

Shelby May’s identity

Shelby May does not appear in any biographical material related to Kiernan. The rumor appears to be unfounded and likely a misconception.

Why this matters

Misinformation about family links can be persistent online. For a figure whose personal tragedy is sensitive, unfounded gossip only deepens the fog.

The catch: Without any credible source, the rumor should be dismissed as noise.

Timeline of Ford Kiernan’s life and career

  • – Born in Glasgow, Scotland
  • – First appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
  • – Chewin’ the Fat begins on BBC Scotland
  • – Still Game premieres on BBC Scotland
  • – Original run of Still Game ends
  • – Son dies at age 12 (BBC News)
  • – Still Game revival begins (BBC News)
  • – Final episode of Still Game aired
  • – Reports of a stage show reunion (IMDb News)

What this means: The timeline shows a career shaped by early peaks, a devastating interruption, and a deliberate comeback.

What we know vs what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Birth name Ford John Kiernan, born 10 January 1962
  • Co-created Chewin’ the Fat and Still Game with Greg Hemphill
  • Son died in January 2014 at age 12 (reported by BBC, Express, Times)
  • Still Game original run 2002–2007, revival 2016–2019
  • Currently active in writing and performance

What’s unclear

  • Exact circumstances of son’s death (not confirmed by family)
  • Nature of any falling out between Kiernan and Hemphill
  • Whether a 2025 stage show is confirmed or still speculation
  • Any relationship with Shelby May (likely false)

The pattern: The solid facts support a clear biography, while the gaps underscore the privacy Kiernan maintains.

Quotes from the creators

“We’re super happy to come back with the show. It’s been a long time.”

– Ford Kiernan, quoted by BBC News (UK public service broadcaster) on the Still Game revival, 2016

“The response has been amazing. People still love Jack and Victor.”

– Greg Hemphill, speaking alongside Kiernan in a 2024 YouTube interview on the enduring appeal of the characters (YouTube (fan‑oriented channel))

Two voices, one shared legacy. The quotes show that despite any personal difficulties, the creative partnership remains intact.

The Still Game phenomenon is a rare case of a local sitcom achieving national icon status. For Ford Kiernan, the stage is set for a possible third act—but the man himself has not yet spoken. For Scottish fans, the choice is simple: wait for an official word or enjoy the reruns. Kiernan remains the key figure, and only he can confirm what comes next.

Additional sources

facebook.com, hughesfuneralhome.org, youtube.com

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Frequently asked questions

How old is Ford Kiernan?

He was born on 10 January 1962, making him 63 years old as of 2025.

Where was Ford Kiernan born?

He was born in Glasgow, Scotland.

What is Ford Kiernan’s net worth?

No verified net worth figure is publicly available. Estimates vary widely and should be treated as speculative.

What TV shows is Ford Kiernan known for?

He is best known for Chewin’ the Fat and Still Game, both co-created with Greg Hemphill.

Has Ford Kiernan won any awards?

Still Game won several Scottish BAFTA awards, including Best Comedy.

Is Ford Kiernan still performing?

Yes, he remains active in writing and performance, with reports suggesting a possible stage show in 2025.

What was Ford Kiernan’s first TV role?

His early TV work includes appearances on BBC Scotland before co-creating Chewin’ the Fat.

Does Ford Kiernan have other children?

He is known to have children, but details about his family are kept private.

These answers cover common queries, but the most pressing questions about his future remain unanswered.

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