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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Entertainment
Sophie McLaughlin

Liam Neeson introduced to Derry Girls by Dame Helen Mirren ahead of guest appearance

Derry Girls fans across the country were shocked when Liam Neeson made a guest appearance on the third series of the hit Channel 4 show.

Playing Chief Constable Byers, the acclaimed Ballymena actor's short stint in the first episode set the final series off with a bang.

Despite Neeson having his own ties to the city, it was actually another famous actress who introduced him to the world of Derry Girls.

Read more: Derry Girls creator said she wants to "keep surprising" fans going into series 3

Writer and creator Lisa McGee and director Michael Lennox shared the details of how the 'Taken' actor ended up in the 'Londonderry RUC Station'.

At a Q&A in the Guildhall after the show's premiere in Derry last week, Michael Lennox said it was actually Dame Helen Mirren who told Neeson to watch Derry Girls.

Both Lisa and Michael said that he explained he was "a fan of the show" and they had been calling him 'The Big Fella' to try and keep his identity a secret until the first episode aired on Tuesday.

Liam Neeson and Dame Helen Mirren (Getty)

She also joked about the experience being "really, really scary" and hiding from Liam Neeson on set until she said, "he called for me".

Liam Neeson and Helen Mirren dated in the late 1980s and lived together for four years before they broke up.

Read more: Lisa McGee stunned as The Simpsons pays tribute with Derry Girls reference

Read more: Watch: Derry Girls say goodbye to show that 'changed their lives'

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