Remains of actor Jimmy Ellis coming home for Belfast funeral today

THE funeral of legendary actor Jimmy Ellis will take place today in east Belfast.

The thanksgiving service will take place this afternoon at St Mark’s Church in Dundela where the actor grew up.

Scores of actors from across theatre, TV and film are expected to attend to pay their farewells to the actor who found fame on the teleivision police drama series Z Cars.

Jimmy Ellis (82), who died 10 days ago from a stroke in Lincoln Hospital in England, was brought up in Park Avenue close to St Mark’s, where writer CS Lewis was baptised.

After his death, Mr Ellis’s family revealed that the actor, best known for his role as Sgt Bert Lynch in the long-running TV series Z Cars, had always wanted to buried in his native Belfast.

In a final farewell, his remains will be taken in cortege around various parts of east Belfast and the city centre.

The location of where his remains will be buried are being kept private.