Dennyloanhead bagpiper goes viral after flashing on Family Fortunes TV show

James (30) and Nicola Craig (31) received the invitation while out shopping – much to their bemusement.

The husband and wife, who run the Highland Harmony wedding entertainment service, only started to take it seriously when the caller revealed they’d seen the Craigs in action during a lockdown gig for the NHS after footage went viral.

Before they knew it, Covid-secure plans were in place for the duo and three relatives to travel to London to take part in the revamped series, hosted by celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo.

Bagpiper James, and singer Nicola were joined by the latter’s auntie and uncle, Senga and Craigen Smith, and brother, Ryan Eddie.

The Craig family became the talk of social media when the episode aired on Sunday night as James, dressed in a kilt, took delight in proving to the Italian presenter he was a true Scotsman.

Discussing the experience, James said: “It was really, really good. It came out of the blue.

“We did a lockdown gig and went outside. We set up a sound system and got 1100 people watching live on Facebook. It got 90,000 views in no time.

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“We never thought anything of it and did another one because the demand was so big. We were contacted by the producer when we were in Asda and thought it was a wind-up!

“They were saying they’d seen the lockdown gig and because I play the pipes and Nicola sings, they couldn’t have got a more Scottish family.”

Although the Craigs lost out on the £10,000 jackpot, the team made the most of their moment in the spotlight.

Nicola, who won a king-size bed as a spot prize, said: “In the middle of a really rubbish year, it broke things up for us.

“James is a natural. Him and Gino were bantering off each other from the start.

“It was just really exciting. The whole of ITV was really nice.

“They gave us lunch and we saw the Loose Women studios.”

Seeing the funny side, she added: “You watch it at home and think, ‘Come on!’

“We were like deer caught in the headlights.”

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