Northern Ireland

Watch: Former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston travels apace around Van Morrison's timeless east Belfast

Actor Christopher Eccleston in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann.
Actor Christopher Eccleston in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann. Actor Christopher Eccleston in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann.
By Bimpe Archer

IT WAS less astral plain and more Astral Weeks for former Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston as he travelled apace through timeless east Belfast streets featured in Van Morrison's music.

The actor has paid his own solitary tribute to Morrison in honour of his 75th birthday with a jog around Hyndford Street and Cyprus Avenue - taking pictures and posing beside the musical landmarks.

The singer himself, whose birthday was yesterday, is understood to have celebrated his milestone along with celebrity friends with a private party at the Culloden Hotel.

Eccleston also visited the childhood homes of football star George Best and snooker legend Alex Higgins during his workout.

Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann.
Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann. Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann.

The actor is in Belfast to star in a new Owen McCafferty 'play for the Covid-era' with Coronation Street star Kerri Quinn, produced by Soda Bread Theatre Company.

`The Post Corona Theatre Menu' takes place in a Belfast home, where scenes will be performed in separate rooms as the audience moves between them, with characters in each room giving an insight into their lives and relationships.

The cast also includes Andrew Simpson, Gerard McCabe, Siobhan Kelly, Marty Maguire, Jo Donnelly, Terence Keeley and Antoinette Morelli - taking place in the latter's home.

It is produced by McCabe.

Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home in Hyndford Street and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins also Picture Mal McCann.
Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home in Hyndford Street and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins also Picture Mal McCann. Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home in Hyndford Street and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins also Picture Mal McCann.

Eccleston told reporters earlier this week "like everybody in every industry I’m desperate to get back to work and make a difference".

"To be doing it in my beautiful beloved Belfast makes it very special for me personally."

It is expected to be staged later in the year.

Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home in Hyndford Street and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins also Picture Mal McCann.
Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home in Hyndford Street and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins also Picture Mal McCann. Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home in Hyndford Street and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins also Picture Mal McCann.
Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home in Hyndford Street and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins also Picture Mal McCann.
Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home in Hyndford Street and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins also Picture Mal McCann. Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home in Hyndford Street and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins also Picture Mal McCann.
Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home in Hyndford Street and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins also Picture Mal McCann.
Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home in Hyndford Street and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins also Picture Mal McCann. Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home in Hyndford Street and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins also Picture Mal McCann.
Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home in Hyndford Street and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins also Picture Mal McCann.
Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home in Hyndford Street and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins also Picture Mal McCann. Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home in Hyndford Street and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins also Picture Mal McCann.
Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins Picture Mal McCann.
Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins Picture Mal McCann. Actor Christopher Eccleston pictured while out jogging in Belfast , visiting Van Morrions childhood home and Cyrus Avenue, George Bests home, and Alex Higgins Picture Mal McCann.