Gerard Butler mural in Bangor proves a hit with movie star

A street artist has said he was shocked to see movie star Gerard Butler visit his mural dedicated to the Scottish actor in Bangor, County Down.

Street artist Johnny Hamilton, also known as Jossiepops, painted the mural of the 300 and P.S I Love You Star near Bangor's seafront in Northern Ireland.

Speaking to BBC News NI, Johnny said that he was shocked when he received a message on social media with a picture of Butler kissing his mural.

"I couldn't believe it," Johnny said.

Hamilton, who is currently in Australia, said that he had previously received a message from Butler, saying that he had seen his street portrait of him on social media and thought it was "extraordinary".

The Bangor street artist said that Butler also told him that he would love to come down and see it in person, but said he truthfully thought that would never happen.

Hamilton said that when he recently received a picture of his "movie idol" actually coming down to see his work in person it was a real "pinch yourself moment".

"I think it was all down to the power of social media, so many local people were tagging him in photos of the mural and I think that's why he saw it and eventually came down to see it in person," he said.

"A lot of people asked me why I was painting a picture of a Hollywood actor born in Scotland near Bangor Marina, which let's be honest is a bit strange when you think about it," Johnny joked.

"The reason to paint his portrait was quite simple, truth be told.

"We saw loads of pictures of him in various locations in Northern Ireland, as we know that he was filming here and it was all just in the hope that he would actually visit Bangor."

Hamilton said he was a huge fan of the actor's work and said that it was all about giving him a reason to come here.

Butler is currently in Northern Ireland working on the new How to Train Your Dragon animated film, which is due to be released in 2025.

"I absolutely loved him in 300 and a lot of his other action films like Olympus Has Fallen," Hamilton said.

He said that Butler and his family were recently visiting Titanic Belfast and must have decided to make the short road trip to Bangor to see the artwork.

The street artist confessed that the news of Butler coming to see the mural was tinged with a slight bit of sadness because he was not there in person to meet him.

"I'm currently in Sydney with my partner as we are travelling across Australia," he said.

"I would be lying to say I was not a bit gutted that I wasn't there to meet him, but I can't complain too much as I'm near the beautiful Blue Mountains here just outside Sydney."

Hamilton said that Northern Ireland, but Bangor in particular, has a fantastic street art scene with so many fantastic artists cropping up.

"It's great to see my work being showcased like this and I hope we can see more street art in the city," he said.

"If you build it they will come, art has the power to bring people together and has the power to bring a Hollywood A lister to our wee city."