MUSSELBURGH actor James Martin is urging viewers to tune in to the first episode of the new series of the sitcom ‘Still Game’ on October 7.

Mr Martin, a volunteer and committee member at the Hollies Day Centre for older people, was delighted to be called by the director to get back in action as his character Eric.

He attended a preview of the first two episodes and said they were extremely well received, with 31,000 requests for the 300 tickets.

Meanwhile, a new recording of the Still Game titles is music to the ears of fans.

The hit comedy, which is filmed in Glasgow, teamed up with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for the recording in the city last week at City Halls.

BAFTA award-winning TV & film composer Ben Foster arranged and orchestrated the new titles, re-recording the Frank Chacksfield song ‘Cuban Boy’.

The track has long been associated with the Still Game series since its debut in 2002, originally using a version by The Cuban Boys.

The opening titles of Still Game, which see evergreen pensioner pals Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade (Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill) age through the years, have also been re-shot for the new much-anticipated seventh series.

The new titles remain faithful to the original style seeing Jack and Victor through the ages from schoolboys, to teens and adults in the 60s, 70s, 80s to the present day.

Producer Jacqueline Sinclair said: "Jack and Victor may not have aged and the original titles have been fabulous for 14 years but, as the whole series is getting a polish, we really needed to make the titles sparkle for HD widescreen televisions too.

"The re-recording of the title music has been the icing on the cake and it really did bring a tear to my eye to hear it being performed live!”

Joan Morrison, orchestra and events manager for the BBC SSO, said: “We are thrilled to be a part of the new series of Still Game and had great fun recording the soundtrack. The orchestra plays a vital role in contributing to programmes across the BBC, entertaining and enlightening audiences throughout Scotland, the UK and beyond.”

After a nine-year absence, Still Game returns to BBC One on October 7.