ACTOR James Martin was moved to dance a jig to celebrate his 90th birthday last Friday.

Well-wishers gathered outside the TV star’s home in Musselburgh to wish him many happy returns in a socially distanced surprise celebration which brought tears to his eyes.

They included volunteers, staff and trustees of the Hollies Day Centre on High Street which is supported by Mr Martin, who starred as fan favourite Eric in the much-loved sitcom Still Game.

Although the day centre is closed due to Covid-19 restrictions, they wished to mark his 90th birthday in a special way and enlisted piper Eilidh Alexander to play for him.

East Lothian Courier: James Martin and Eilidh Alexander

James Martin with piper Eilidh Alexander

Everyone met in the car park outside his home for the alfresco party, which also attracted interest from nearby workmen and passers-by.

Mr Martin said: “It was overwhelming – I had tears in my eyes.”

His wife Christine had lured him downstairs on the pretext of seeing a friend and then he heard the bagpipes being played by Eilidh, whom he praised for her perfect Highland dress.

Liz Shannon, day centre manager, said: “Eilidh was hired to play the pipes and she was fantastic. Jim proved to be still game as he danced to the jigs.”

Mr Martin, a Royal Navy veteran, has been on near-constant lockdown for a year and was delighted to see his friends, even from a distance.

He said that the private courtyard near the River Esk, where he lives, proved the perfect stage for his birthday celebration, adding: “I have enough sweets to start a sweetie shop.”

He received more than 50 birthday cards and was inundated by phone calls and text messages from people, including those he had worked with in television over the years. He is also looking forward to having a dram after receiving a bottle of Haig whisky as a birthday gift from a neighbour.

Ms Shannon added: “Thanks go to his wife Christine, who kept the secret and managed to get him downstairs in time for his surprise birthday celebration.”

Mr Martin is originally from Glasgow but has lived in Musselburgh for 34 years.

He first came to East Lothian to work at Greywalls Hotel, Gullane, which was advertising for a head porter in 1974.

It was there he met Christine, who was assistant manager.

The couple moved to Port Seton, where for eight years they ran a general store called the Anchorage, located halfway between Port Seton and Seton Sands Holiday Park on the shore side, where three houses now stand. It was a typical holiday shop selling basic food items, sweets, toys and hot rolls/sandwiches, as well as having a liquor licence.

The couple then moved to Musselburgh.

Mr Martin, who also supports Sight Scotland Veterans, served in the Royal Navy prior to embarking on his 40-year acting career, having joined up in 1949 aged 17 and serving seven years, then five years with the reserves.