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Best would 'laugh' about musical

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The son of Northern Ireland's football legend George Best says his father is probably "looking down from above laughing" that a musical was made about his life.
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    Interview: Calum Best
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    Interview: Angie Best
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    Family affair

George Best's son and former wife touched down at the Belfast airport named after the soccer legend on Friday.

Calum and Angie Best will be special guests at a performance of the new musical, Dancing Shoes, which opened at the Grand Opera House on Wednesday.

"The musical... I think he would have been quite shocked that there would be a musical about him", Calum told UTV.

"I'm really flattered; it's a nice tribute again. I'm sure it'll be really good and he's looking down from above and laughing that they've made a musical about his life."

The show, which charts the turbulent life of the football genius - from his childhood on the Cregagh estate to a life of fame and controversy - is written and produced by Belfast playwrights Marie Jones and Martin Lynch and composed by Scotsman JJ Gilmour.

Angie, Best's first wife, whom he met when he moved to the States, features highly in the musical.

She told UTV that, while she was interested to see the performance itself, she knew the real man behind the headlines and the real story of her life with him.

"I know who George and I were. It doesn't matter what anyone else knows but I'm sure they'll do a great job because they're very talented people," she said.

George Best died in 2005 after a long struggle with alcohol.

Thousands lined the streets of Belfast for his funeral in a display of public grief.

Last year, Calum opened up about how his childhood was shaped by his father's addiction in hard-hitting documentary for BBC Children in Need.

"I think about my dad every single day", he told UTV.

"A lot of time I talk publicly but I have my won private ways of talking to him, and my own private ways of dealing with it. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him and as much as I like all the things that are done, I'd give it all up just to have him back."

Dancing Shoes runs until 14 August and the official red carpet premiere takes place on Saturday night.

Famous guests - including former Northern Ireland and Manchester United goalkeeper Harry Gregg, a host of fellow Man Utd legends, Sir Matt Busby's daughter Sheena, golfer Ian Woosnam and actor Sean Bean - will join family and friends at the charity event at Belfast's Grand Opera House to support the George Best Foundation.

Sir Michael Parkinson was to have been a special guest of the foundation, but has had to withdraw for family reasons. However, a DVD message from him will be shown at the after show reception.

A DVD from Eamonn Holmes, the foundation's president, is also expected to be shown at the after show reception.

Broadcaster Gerry Kelly will host an auction.


Part three of the documentary following the making of the musical 'George Best, From Football Boots to Dancing Shoes' can be seen on UTV next Tuesday.

Previous episodes are available on the UTV Player.

© UTV News

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