Omid enjoys return trip to UUC

Iranian born, Omid Djalili, graduated from the University of Ulster, Coleraine, in 1998 with a degree in English and Theatre Studies.

Last week he returned to the Cromore Road campus for a special programme for the BBC’s the ‘One Show’.

Omid tweeted about his visit to his 197,000 followers.

He said: ‘Great #UUC visit to old stomping grounds Riverside Theatre & sports pavilion where I scored 2 pens in Freshers v Zimmer frames’.

The funny man even took a selfie with some of the Coleraine students.

During his university days, Omid lived in a cottage in Castlerock.

A keen football fan, he even pulled on the red and white jersey for Dr Tom Stark’s UUC football team.

Omid played for the Colts in the Coleraine and District Saturday Morning League, and made a few appearances for the Reserves.

Described as a ‘skilful player’ by Dr Stark, Omid, who played up front, even managed to grab a few goals!

After graduating from Coleraine, Omid embarked upon a series of odd jobs on returning to London.

He was rejected from 16 different drama schools - but since then he rose to fame and has starred in films including The Mummy, Gladiator, The World is Not Enough, Notting Hill and Pirates of the Caribbean.

He has made numerous television appearances and even had his own series, The Omid Djalili Show!

In America he featured as a supporting actor to Whoopi Goldberg in 22 episodes of the NBC sitcom Whoopi, recorded a HBO stand-up comedy special in New York, and appeared in the NBC sitcom The Paul Reiser Show.

His stage career includes his acclaimed performances during 2009 in the role of Fagin in the London West End Production of Oliver.

In between his film, television and stage career he regularly tours around the UK and in Europe as a stand up comedian.

The Times understands that the visit to Coleraine last week is for a forthcoming feature on the popular BBC evening programme.

Omid and a handful of other stars are taken back to their old universities and colleges spending a day with students in lectures - just like they did many moons ago!

We’ll bring you more details about Omid’s One Show appearance in the coming weeks.