Jurassic Park star Sam Neill paid a heartfelt tribute to Robbie Coltrane as he backed a project spearheaded by him to save a historic steamship.
The Hollywood actor is a patron of the TS Queen Mary, which is undergoing a £6million revamp after being brought back to Glasgow with help from his friend Coltrane, who passed away in October at the age of 72.
Coltrane, who died from multiple organ failure, had dedicated the last years of his life to restoring the Clyde-built vessel.
Neill called Coltrane “one of the finest actors of any generation” in a video marking the ship’s 90th birthday celebrations.
He told how he was brought on board as a patron by his long-term friend who he said he “loved dearly” and was “unlike anyone else” he had ever known.
Speaking from his home in New Zealand, the 75-year-old said: “We lost my co-patron, sadly, dear Robbie Coltrane.
“Robbie, who was one of the finest actors of his generation, of any generation, but he was also great company and very funny.
“But, more than that, he knew what he was talking about and he was an absolute expert on so many things, not the least of them being the Queen Mary.
“He called me and said, ‘We’re setting up this organisation – be a co-patron with me,’ and I didn’t hesitate for a minute.
“He was such a generous and marvellous soul and unlike anyone I’ve ever known.
“I loved him dearly, as so many people did.”
Neill’s address was played at a special reception in Glasgow’s Central Hotel this month, hosted by the Friends of TS Queen Mary, the charity tasked with the restoration.
Guests at the event included Princess Anne, who is the ship’s royal patron.
Neill, who has also starred in Peaky Blinders and The Hunt For Red October, added: “It’s the 90th birthday of the old girl. She’s knocking on a bit now – she’s even older than me, which takes some doing.
“I wish Queen Mary, as do all the friends of Queen Mary, a very happy birthday and very many happy returns.”
Built in 1933, the five-deck TS Queen Mary ferried thousands of holidaymakers to resorts such as Rothesay and Dunoon.
A campaign for repairs – spearheaded by Coltrane – was launched in 2015. It is hoped the ship will be in service by 2024.
The Sunday Mail revealed in September that Coltrane raised £75,000 to help restore the steamship by selling personalised videos and “shout-out” messages on the celebrity video site Cameo.
He said then: “Not only am I able to connect with my fans but I can also raise money for my beautiful ship.”
Friends of TS Queen Mary chair Iain Sim said: “Robbie was not just a patron, he was a true friend. He loved the Queen Mary and he often referred to her as ‘his bonnie ship’.
“No one can replace Robbie but Sam Neill is taking forward his legacy.
“I know Robbie would have been thrilled that Queen Mary has reached her 90th birthday and it was fitting that Sam paid tribute to him in the way he did.”
He added: “I was delighted Her Royal Highness could be with us.
“Last year she was able to step aboard the Queen Mary to see first-hand the work that has been undertaken by our volunteers.
“Since 2016 our volunteers have saved the charity a substantial six-figure sum.
“ And so it was absolutely fantastic that they could be presented to Her Royal Highness.”
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