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George Best: Stars turn out for George.(Features)

The News Letter (Belfast, Northern Ireland) May 2, 2000 | Martin, Paul A movie on the life and times of Northern Ireland and Manchester United football legend George Best premiered in Belfast last night. Movie stars, local celebrities, sports personalities and fans turned out to pay tribute to the “Belfast boy” at events across the city yesterday. site last night movie

SOCCER legend George Best was honoured by a galaxy of stars who lined-up in Belfast last night for the Best movie premiere.

The Belfast boy himself was not at the Waterfront Hall gala as he recovered in his London home after his recent health problems.

But stars from the world of sport, TV and film turned out to pay tribute to the Manchester United superstar.

Barry McGuigan, Dave ‘Boy’ McAuley and Mary Peters were among those in attendance along with the cast from the controversial movie, organised in aid of Cinemagic and the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action.

Sources close to the legend have said he is outraged by the film which depicts him as a womanising drinker who can’t give up boozy nights on the town.

But John Lynch, who plays Best, defended the movie. “I think we did what we had to do and addressed both sides of his career fairly,” he said.

“George saw the film about five months ago, he loved it but it was quite emotional for him.

“It was amazing playing George in the film, I got quite a strong sense of the isolation he had to deal with when the fame and attention came along.

“He’ll always be remembered for his football. He was completely unique, there’ll never be a talent like his again.

“The whole legend of George Best is a mixture of the greatness on the field and his problems off it. It’s not just drinking, womanising and gambling, it also shows how brilliant George Best was on the football field.

“Some would say that he eventually paid the price for his partying, but people who watch the film will be left to make up their own mind.

“It shows George the human being as well as George the football star. He was thrown into a world of partying where everyone wanted to be his best friend. go to website last night movie

“Women loved him, he made big money and drove flash cars. But, at the same time, football was his real passion.” Lynch admitted that he wasn’t anything near the ‘best’ when it came to showing off his own soccer skills.

He joined Kenneth Branagh, Emmerdale stars Kelvin Fletcher, Dominic Brunt and Mark Charnock and UTV presenter Pamela Ballentine in a special pre-premier football match at Blanchflower Stadium.

“I’m not a great footballer at all in reality,” Lynch said. “Thankfully I wasn’t required to put my skills to the test too much in the film.” Branagh jetted home to Belfast to celebrate the legend’s career and told the News Letter: “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” Stars headed for Belfast’s trendy Edge Bar after the premier for a night of Seventies-style partying.

Martin, Paul

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