Council worker JP Easton is basking in his 15 minutes of fame starring in BBC One’s The Council.
The community learning and development team leader was among of band of Fife Council workers followed in the documentary series which aims to shed light on the work of local authorities facing ever-tightening budgets.
JP was shown helping residents of Glenrothes’ deprived Macedonia district decide how to spend a £10,000 grant.
The first episode, which aired on Wednesday evening, saw the community benefit from redecoration of the stairwell in its maisonette flats.
It also screened a public meeting where people voted to spend the cash on a green gym, new goalposts, play equipment and a community orchard – which have all materialised since filming took place early this year.
JP, 51, of Kinghorn, said: “Next year or the year after people will be able to walk through Macedonia and pick apples and plums from the trees.”
He has received a deluge of messages since his starring role in the first of three episodes focusing on the frontline services of Fife Council.
He said: “I was dreading how it was going to look and how I was going to come across.
“I didn’t want to come across too much like David Brent and I didn’t want to let the people of Macedonia or my colleagues down by looking like a wally but the feedback has been so good. It’s been totally worthwhile.”
Community input into spending of the Starter For Ten grant made available by Glenrothes councillors was what is known as participatory budgeting.
JP said: “If the programme has highlighted what community learning and participatory budgeting can do, I’m really happy.
“I did feel a weight of responsibility. In community learning and development we are not social work, we are not education, we don’t have that clout, but more than ever we need community workers out there.”
Council leader Cllr David Ross praised the employees who appeared in what he described as an “absolutely fascinating” show.
He said: “I thought our staff came across very positively as caring and committed, even in difficult circumstances. Time and again, the programme shone a light on the issues councils face.
“It’s well known that across Scotland, as well as in Fife, we have a shortage of housing, a roads maintenance backlog and areas in need of regeneration.
“We have a large budget but not enough to do everything we’d like and keep delivering all the same services in the same way.
“One of the questions we have to grapple with is how to balance strategic investment in things like housing, care and roads with the needs of local communities, like Macedonia and many others, to build a fairer Fife.”
Mr Ross is to answer questions about the documentary and community influence on spending in a chat on Fife Council’s Facebook page on Friday between 12pm and 1pm.
Questions can be left in advance by marking posts, tweets or emails #cllrQs #thecouncil.
