Bid to name Belfast bridge after Ulster actor Ellis

Robina Ellis said that both she and their son Toto together with the Ellis family support the move which they believe would be a fitting tribute to her late husband, who was “passionately proud” of his local roots.

He died in 2014, aged 82.

Speaking from her home in England, Mrs Ellis said the family were “very touched” when they heard Mr Ellis’s name linked to the campaign giving the public an opportunity to officially name three bridges within east Belfast.

Connswater Community Greenway (CCG), a 9km linear park project through east Belfast, is campaigning to name three bridges within Greenville Park and Orangefield Park by popular vote.

Mr Ellis was the first actor to be heard regularly on British television with an Ulster accent. His most notable roles were in Z Cars and The Billy Plays.

It was entirely due to him that Northern Ireland playwright Sam Thompson’s play ‘Over The Bridge’ was staged, which centred on sectarianism in Belfast’s shipyard.

Welcoming the bridge naming call, Mrs Ellis said: “Toto and I and the rest of the Ellis family are very touched and happy at the possibility. It would be a very appropriate legacy because it was entirely due to Jimmy that Sam Thompson’s play ‘Over The Bridge’ saw the light of day.”

She added: “Jimmy had been due to open Sam’s bridge in March 2014 when he had a stroke and died 12 days later. It would be particularly meaningful for Jimmy and Sam to now have bridges side by side.”

Mr Ellis only left Northern Ireland at the age of 30 because he had offended the establishment and had to go in search of work in England, she added.

Visit www.connswatergreenway.co.uk/Naming