How treasured double act Victor and Barry were revived

In the 1990s, Masson and Cumming went in different directions after their sitcom The High Life.

Masson moved to London where he has been continuously in demand as an actor, most recently in The Crown and with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Cumming, from Aberfeldy in Perthshire, moved to the US where he won an Emmy for his role as the Emcee in Cabaret, and embarked on a film and TV career which has taken in everything from James Bond and X-Men movies, to the Good Wife and the US version of The Traitors.

Both have returned separately to the Edinburgh Festivals, and say they were regularly asked when their alter egos will return.

“Every other job I do, people come up and ask about Victor and Barry, which is lovely,” says Masson.

“I think it still stands the test of time.”

But Victor and Barry’s reunion is likely to be a short-lived one.

They have already appeared in Glasow and have one more Scottish book festival date – at Wigtown on 6 October – and no plans for any more appearances.

Their creators are instead reviving another comedy duo, Sebastian and Steve, the camp flight attendants on Air Scotia in their 90s sitcom The High Life.

“They’re basically Victor and Barry on a plane,” admits Masson.

The BBC plans to show the series again and make it available on iPlayer.

And Masson and Cumming are currently developing a stage musical with the National Theatre of Scotland.

So, welcome back Sebastian and Steve. Au revoir Victor and Barry.

“Never say, never,” says Alan.

“Although I don’t have enough hair for that wee kiss curl,” adds Forbes.

“And I’d definitely need a bigger dressing gown.”