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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Keiran Fleming

The day Sean Connery brought the Central Belt to a stand still with Paisley visit

The Paisley Piazza has become somewhat of a staple of the town's shopping scene, with a variety of shops and eateries available for perusing.

What is often forgotten about the shopping centre is that one of the most famous names in the world opened it.

In 1970, Sean Connery was considered one of the biggest actors on the planet - and instantly recognisable as the iconic James Bond.

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However, he never forgot his Scottish roots and when he was invited to cut the ribbon of the Paisley Piazza the original 007 was more than happy to.

Thousands flocked to the town centre to catch a glimpse of the action hero, with much of the central belt coming to a standstill.

The opening took place a year prior to the release of the smash hit Diamonds are Forever.

A big wave of people tried to make their way closer to the Hollywood star, whilst workers clambered onto the roof of the nearby Royal Bank of Scotland and the old Goldbergs department store to watch Connery cut the ribbon.

Following the opening of the new centre, the National Treasure signed a number of autographs for the adoring public before he was whisked away.

Sean Connery as James Bond (Getty Images)

The Paisley Piazza has underwent numerous changes over the last few decades, however, locals will always look back on its opening with much fondness.

Connery saw his stock continue to rise post-Bond. Winning an Oscar in 1987 for his supporting role in the classic gangster movie Untouchables and acting as the perfect partner to Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

The Scottish hearthrob was later voted the sexiest man of the century by the New Woman magazine beating the likes of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise.

He sadly passed away on October 31, 2020, aged 90.

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