Still Game star Jimmy Martin proved you are never too old to be a showman as he left the room in stitches after being awarded the British Empire Medal
The 93-year-old, who played “auld” Eric Jones, was awarded the medal by the Lord Lieutenant of East Lothian at the investiture ceremony on Saturday, November 2, after he was included in the King’s Honours.
The grandad of two enjoyed a 40-year career as an actor, appearing in Taggart and Take The High Road as well as the movie Just Another Saturday, with Billy Connolly.
READ MORE: Autistic Scots girl rejected from ballet schools inspires teacher to create ASN class
READ MORE: Glasgow’s official fireworks displays to check out in and around city for Bonfire Night
But it’s for his dedication to charity and public service as a fireman that the former Navy officer has been recognised, especially his work for Poppy Scotland and The Hollies community hub in Musselburgh
His daughter Jennifer previously told how he was “totally delighted” by the honour, joking that it could be a struggle for the King to be ‘fluent in Craiglang’.
She said: “We are wondering if they maybe have a translator at Buckingham Palace because I can’t imagine Camilla and Charles are very fluent in Craiglang. But Dad is totally delighted and so are we. It’s absolutely great for him to be recognised like this.”
She added: “He’s such a modest man so not many people realise he’s done all that charity work. He was also a fireman for many years with the Partick Fire Brigade and worked on the St Mungo Fireboat, dealing with fires up and down the river.”
It was a sideline that led him into acting. Jennifer said: “Like a lot of firemen, Dad had a job on the side, and his was painting and decorating. He was painting the offices of Freddy Young, the theatrical agent, and she asked him if he would like some work as an extra.”
Jimmy’s career came full circle when he ended up in Still Game along with Paul Young, Freddy’s son, who played Shug in the sitcom.
Jennifer told Glasgow Live the veteran Scot couldn’t contain his showman side as he draw a huge laugh from the room as he joked: “I’ve that many wrinkles on ma foreheid noo I can screw my hat on.”
She added: “He got a big laugh from everyone when he explained about being the only auld yin in Still Game. Once a showman always a showman.
“He had the best day.”
Sign up to our daily Glasgow Live newsletter here to receive news and features direct to your inbox
Join Glasgow Live’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Story Saved
You can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
