Editing Clare Grogan

{{Short description|Scottish actress and singer (born 1962)}}
{{about|the actress and singer|the camogie player|Claire Grogan}}
{{BLP sources|date=September 2009}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
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{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Clare Grogan
| image             = Clare Grogan.jpg
| caption           = Grogan performing with Altered Images in 2009
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|1962|03|17|df=y}}
| birth_place       = [[Glasgow]], Scotland
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}}
| death_place       = 
| years_active      = 1979–present
| genre             = [[Pop music|Pop]], [[rock music|rock]], [[New wave music|new wave]]
| occupation        = Singer, actress
| current_member_of = [[Altered Images]]
}}
'''Claire Patricia Grogan''' (born 17 March 1962), known professionally as '''Clare Grogan''' or sometimes as '''C. P. Grogan''', is a Scottish singer and actress. She is best known as the lead singer of the 1980s [[new wave music]] group [[Altered Images]], as well as for supporting roles in the 1981 film ''[[Gregory's Girl]]'' and the science fiction sitcom ''[[Red Dwarf]]'' as the first incarnation of [[Kristine Kochanski]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dave.uktv.co.uk/red-dwarf/red-dwarf-cast/article/clare-grogan-profile/|access-date=9 February 2020|title=Clare Grogan}}</ref>

==Early life==
Born in [[Glasgow]], Grogan and her two sisters all attended the [[Notre Dame High School (Glasgow)|Notre Dame Convent School]].<ref name=stv/> Her mother was Irish and born in Dublin.<ref>https://www.eonmusic.co.uk/interviews/clare-grogan-on-reclaiming-altered-images-playing-father-teds-most-infamous-feminist</ref>

Aged 17, while she was dancing at the Glasgow College of Technology, a fight broke out nearby between several patrons. Grogan attempted to head away from the violence but was injured by thrown broken glass, causing a deep facial wound and a prominent scar on the left side of her face. Grogan states her parents still find it hard to read about the incident. She began filming ''Gregory's Girl'' just three months after the incident.<ref>{{cite news | title=Clare Grogan | author = James Ellis | work = The Metro| url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310055327/http://www.metro.co.uk/showbiz/interviews/966-clare-grogan | date = 2003-04-10}}</ref> In 1998, while she was working in a theatre at [[Watford]], it was discovered that part of the glass was still in the facial tissue and had to be surgically removed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-herald-1130/20111114/282106338437237|title=Centre Stage:Clare Gorgan on Success|via=PressReader|publisher=The Herald|date=14 November 2011}}</ref>

==Acting career==
===Theatre===
As a member of Scottish Youth Theatre, she was originally obliged to appear as "C. P. Grogan" because there was already a member of [[Equity (trade union)|Equity]] named Claire Grogan. (The other Claire Grogan went on to become a photographer.) She would later drop the ''i'' from her first name.<ref name=standard/>

Grogan played the part of Rita in ''[[Educating Rita]]'' at Dundee Repertory Theatre in 1987.<ref name=sta/>

In 1996, she played a fitness instructor on the [[Edinburgh Fringe]] in the play ''Lady Macbeth Firmed My Buttocks''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/fringe-round-up-lady-macbeth-firmed-my-buttocks-1309779.html|title=fringe round-up: Lady Macbeth Firmed My Buttocks|date=15 August 1996|website=The Independent}}</ref>

===Film and television===
While working as a [[waitress]] at the Spaghetti Factory [[restaurant]] in Glasgow, she was spotted by film director [[Bill Forsyth]].<ref name=herald/> This led to her breakthrough acting role in 1981's ''[[Gregory's Girl]]'' as Susan. Because of her facial wound there were objections from the producers, but Forsyth refused to recast the role and Grogan was filmed mostly in profile. When filmed in close up, makeup artists covered Grogan's scar with Derma wax.<ref name=stv2/>

In 1984, she played Charlotte in Forsyth's ''[[Comfort and Joy (1984 film)|Comfort and Joy]]''. In 1985, she was the receptionist in the [[BBC Television]] version of ''[[Blott on the Landscape]]''. Grogan appeared in the second episode of the acclaimed ''[[The Monocled Mutineer]]'' in 1986. She had a recurring role playing [[Red Dwarf characters#David Lister|Dave Lister]]'s would-be [[love-interest]], [[Kristine Kochanski]], in series 1, 2 and 6 of the TV show ''[[Red Dwarf]]''. However, she was later deemed too old for the role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/12803442.how-clare-survived-25-years-in-showbiz/|title=How Clare survived 25 years in showbiz|website=Evening Times|date=October 2007 }}</ref> Grogan has also appeared in ''[[Father Ted]]'' (episode "[[Rock-a-Hula Ted]]") in a thinly veiled parody of [[Sinéad O'Connor]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Irish Times|date=29 July 2015|title=The Secret Lives of Father Ted|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio-web/the-secret-lives-of-the-priests-in-father-ted-1.2300743|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729103644/http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio-web/the-secret-lives-of-the-priests-in-father-ted-1.2300743 |archive-date=29 July 2015 |access-date=30 January 2021|website=[[Irish Times]]}}</ref> and in ''[[EastEnders]]'' as [[Ian Beale]]'s love interest, [[Ros Thorne]] (1997–1998).

In 1992, Grogan appeared as Mary Catto in series 8 episode 21 of ''[[Taggart]]'' (again credited as C.P. Grogan).

She had the role of Maggie in a 1998 comedy ''Jilting Joe'', played an eye surgeon in a 2002 short film ''Bury It'', appeared in ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]'' in 2003, and performed another [[Edinburgh Fringe]] play ''Forbidden'' in 2004, as Lily, married to a WW2 Nazi officer but falling in love with a young Jewish woman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edinburghguide.com/news/theatre/8289-claregrogantopresentcriticsawardfortheatreinscotland|title=Clare Grogan to Present Critics' Award for Theatre in Scotland – Edinburgh Guide|website=www.edinburghguide.com}}</ref>

In 2006, Grogan portrayed Sandra Reeves, a control-freak office manager, in the film ''The Penalty King''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/5103049.altered-images-star-films-in-brighton/|title=Altered Images star films in Brighton|website=The Argus|date=9 October 2003 }}</ref> played Cathy in an episode of ''[[Sea of Souls]]'', and May, Danny's mother, in the Scottish sit-com ''[[Legit (2006 TV series)|Legit]]''. She appeared in the video for [[Peter Kay]] and [[Matt Lucas]]' charity single "[[I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)#Comic Relief|I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)]]", recorded for [[Comic Relief (charity)|Comic Relief]]'s Red Nose Day 2007, along with two TV films ''Wedding Belles'' and ''Forgiven''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0342931/|title=Clare Grogan|website=IMDb}}</ref>

Grogan had a role in the 2011 TV series ''[[Skins (British TV series)|Skins]]'' as Shelley, mother of [[Mini McGuinness]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a302415/clare-grogan-explains-skins-role/|title=Clare Grogan explains 'Skins' role|first=Catriona|last=Wightman|date=7 February 2011|website=Digital Spy}}</ref> and played Jenny Ferris in the Scottish gangster film ''[[The Wee Man]]'' in 2013.

She starred as Myriam in the 2017 film ''Delirium'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news-2-15012/interview-clare-grogan-1-4535598|title=Interview: Clare Grogan|website=www.scotsman.com|date=19 August 2017 }}</ref> filmed entirely at [[Royal Holloway, University of London]].

Grogan co-presented, alongside [[Gary Maclean]], [[BBC Scotland]]'s ''Corner Shop Cook-Off''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Armstrong|first1=Gary |title=New food TV show Corner Shop Cook Off is ultimate test for Scotland's top celebrity chefs |url=https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/tv/corner-shop-cook-off-bbc-17734916 |website=Glasgow Live |date=15 February 2020 |accessdate=18 February 2023}}</ref> The six episode series originally aired from 19 February to 25 March 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Corner Shop Cook-Off |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000fln2 |website=BBC |accessdate=18 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Corner Shop Cook-Off |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000gr8c |website=BBC |accessdate=18 February 2023}}</ref>

==Music career==
Grogan developed her singing career as the lead singer of [[Altered Images]], originally a five-piece band that included [[Johnny McElhone]] (later of the Scottish [[rock band]] [[Texas (band)|Texas]]), whom she met while studying for her [[Higher (Scottish)|Highers]] exams. It became a four-person band with the departure of two members and the addition of Stephen Lironi, who played both [[guitar]] and [[drum kit|drums]]. The band had several hits in the early 1980s, including "[[Happy Birthday (Altered Images song)|Happy Birthday]]", "[[Don't Talk to Me About Love]]", "[[I Could Be Happy]]" and "See Those Eyes". The group split up after the release of their third album, ''[[Bite (Altered Images album)|Bite]]'' (1983).

In 1984, Grogan made a cameo appearance in the music video to "[[Young at Heart (Bananarama song)|Young at Heart]]" by [[The Bluebells]].

Grogan later attempted a [[solo (music)|solo]] career, but after her [[single (music)|single]] "Love Bomb" failed to gain chart success in 1987, her album ''Trash Mad'' was never released. Grogan formed Universal Love School in 1989 with Lironi, performing a series of gigs around the UK. However, it was short-lived and produced no hit singles. In 2000, she contributed vocals to the song "Night Falls Like a Grand Piano" on [[The 6ths]]' album ''[[Hyacinths and Thistles]]''. She recorded a version of "Angels with Dirty Faces" for the [[Frankie Miller]] tribute album. The track "Her Hooped Dream" appears on ''The Ultimate Celtic Album''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultimate-Celtic-Album-Various-artists/dp/B005FY0E5M|access-date=9 February 2020|title=The Ultimate Celtic Album|website=Amazon UK }}</ref>

In 2002, Grogan performed as Altered Images on the [[Here and Now Tour]] which featured other well known artists from the 1980s. She performed on similar tours in 2005, 2008 and 2009. She appeared with [[Chesney Hawkes]], [[Toyah Willcox]] and [[Limahl]] as The 80s Supergroup in the 2011 series of ''[[Let's Dance for Comic Relief]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1NWMGqXS1Rwy5Svp726DqK1/contestants-the-final|access-date=9 February 2020|title=Contestants – The Final}}</ref>

Grogan sometimes covers for radio presenters on [[BBC 6 Music]].{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

Grogan appeared in Series 2, Episode 2 of [[John Shuttleworth (character)|John Shuttleworth's]] Lounge Music on [[BBC Radio 4]] on 27 November 2016.<ref name = "John Shuttleworth" />

Clare Grogan is the inspiration for the song "[[True (Spandau Ballet song)|True]]" by [[Spandau Ballet]].<ref>{{cite news|title=How we made: Gary Kemp and Steve Norman on True|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2012/may/14/how-we-made-true-spandau-ballet|access-date=13 May 2017|work=The Guardian}}</ref>

Grogan began presenting shows on [[Absolute Radio 80s]] from 11 September 2017, presenting Monday to Thursday 8-9pm and Sundays 7-9pm.<ref name="Absolute" />

In 2021, Grogan duetted with Sharleen Spiteri on the track "Look What You've Done", from ''Hi'', the tenth album released by Johnny McElhone's band Texas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/texas-announce-new-album-hi|title=Texas Announce New Album 'Hi'|website=Clash Magazine|date=6 April 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/texas-announce-new-album-hi-and-unveil-new-single-mr-haze__32835/|title=Texas announce new album Hi, share new single Mr Haze|website=www.officialcharts.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.totalntertainment.com/music/mr-haze-the-new-single-from-texas-out-now/|title='Mr Haze' the new single from Texas out now|date=6 April 2021}}</ref>

==Writing==
Grogan's first book was published in October 2008, a children's novel (aimed at age 7 and up) titled ''Tallulah and the Teenstars'', about a girl, Tallulah Gosh, who forms a pop band.<ref name=book/>

In 2015, it was followed by ''Tallulah On Tour''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/mar/07/clare-grogan-i-drew-on-my-pop-star-past-to-write-a-book-for-my-daughter|title=Clare Grogan: I drew on my pop star past to write a book for my daughter|date=7 March 2015|website=The Guardian}}</ref>

Tallulah Gosh was an alias Grogan thought of using at the start of her career because Equity had already registered a Claire Grogan and a more showbiz name might help her career, but Bill Forsyth persuaded her that she would come to regret it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/novel-character-tallulah-gosh-is-based-991980|title=Novel character Tallulah Gosh is based on me, reveals Clare Grogan|first=Laura|last=Coventry|date=28 September 2008|website=Daily Record}}</ref>

The band [[Talulah Gosh]] took their name from the headline of an interview with Grogan in [[NME]].

==Personal life==
Grogan married bandmate Stephen Lironi in Glasgow in 1994. They live in [[London Borough of Haringey|Haringey]] in north London, and adopted a daughter in 2005.<ref name="Mirror Baby Girl"/>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs = 
<ref name=stv>{{cite web |title=Biographies: Clare Grogan |publisher=STV |date=20 March 2009 |url=http://programmes.stv.tv/scotland-at-the-movies/people/83611-clare-grogan/ |access-date=6 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201072741/http://programmes.stv.tv/scotland-at-the-movies/people/83611-clare-grogan |archive-date=1 February 2012  }}</ref>

<ref name="Mirror Baby Girl">{{cite news|title=Clare Grogan: Love at first sight when I met my baby girl|work=The Mirror|date=29 September 2006|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/family/clare-grogan-love-at-first-sight-643699|access-date=5 July 2012}}</ref>

<ref name=stv2>[http://programmes.stv.tv/scotland-at-the-movies/interviews/83615-attack-on-gregorys-girl/ Scotland at the Movies: ''Attack on Gregory's Girl.''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006025809/http://programmes.stv.tv/scotland-at-the-movies/interviews/83615-attack-on-gregorys-girl/ |date=6 October 2011 }} Retrieved 23 August 2011.</ref>

<ref name="John Shuttleworth">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b083m575|title=BBC Radio 4 – John Shuttleworth's Lounge Music, Series 2, Episode 2|website=BBC}}</ref>

<ref name=sta>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/archivespecialcollections/scottishtheatrearchive/?EID=14949|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103212456/http://special.lib.gla.ac.uk/sta/search/detaile.cfm?EID=14949|url-status=dead|title=University of Glasgow – MyGlasgow – Archives & Special Collections – Scottish Theatre Archive|archivedate=3 November 2012|website=www.gla.ac.uk}}</ref>

<ref name=standard>{{cite news
| title = Altered Images – Now Claire must change her name
| work = [[Evening Standard]]
| date = 21 August 1984
| url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=y9lAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=waYMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6044,3571634
| access-date = 24 November 2013}}</ref>

<ref name=book>{{cite news
| title = Singer Clare Grogan launches children's book
| work = [[Birmingham Mail]]
| date = 23 October 2008
| url = http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/singer-clare-grogan-launches-childrens-71395
| access-date = 24 November 2013}}</ref>

<ref name=herald>{{cite news
| title = Alter Girl
| work = [[The Herald (Glasgow)]]
| date = 8 September 2007
| url = http://www.heraldscotland.com/alter-girl-1.835488
| access-date = 24 November 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="Absolute">{{cite web|title=Clare Grogan to host nightly on Absolute 80s|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2017/09/clare-grogan-to-host-nightly-on-absolute-80s/|website=Radio Today|date=11 September 2017 |access-date=5 October 2017}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{external media | width = 210px | float = right | headerimage= | video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWHhcJAb75s Clare Grogan talking about adoption for BAAF at YouTube.]}}
*{{commons category-inline}}
* {{Twitter}}
* {{AllMusic}}
* {{Discogs artist}}
* {{IMDb name}}
*[http://www.sukeplow.demon.co.uk/altered/grogan.htm Two interviews re early career] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804205101/http://www.sukeplow.demon.co.uk/altered/grogan.htm |date=4 August 2014 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110417024808/http://www.baaf.org.uk/about/president BAAF patrons]

{{Authority control}}

{{Absolute Radio}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Grogan, Clare}}
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century Scottish women singers]]
[[Category:Actors from the London Borough of Haringey]]
[[Category:Actresses from Glasgow]]
[[Category:British women new wave singers]]
[[Category:People educated at Notre Dame High School, Glasgow]]
[[Category:Scottish film actresses]]
[[Category:Scottish new wave musicians]]
[[Category:Scottish people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Scottish television actresses]]
[[Category:Scottish women songwriters]]
[[Category:Singers from Glasgow]]