Hollywood movie legend Jean-Claude Van Damme looks set to lead the Late Late Show line-up this week.
The famous martial artist and filmmaker celebrated his 63rd birthday in Belfast on Wednesday evening as he launched his new Irish whiskey. Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty has now teased that he will be joined by the star in a promo video showing the new host practising his own fighting skills with a punchbag and a headband backstage at the RTE studios.
In a video, to the soundtrack of Carl Douglas’ Kung Fu Fighting, the Co Down native looks to the camera out of breath after showing off his highest kicks and best karate chops and says: "I have a stitch". While the clip didn't confirm his name, they showed a blurred image of the star from back in the day as the video came to an end.
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Meanwhile, fans have been guessing the star's name in the comments section, as excitement builds for this Friday's show. Jean-Claude, best known for starring in films such as ‘Bloodsport’ and ‘Kickboxer’, is one of the shareholders in Old Oak Irish whiskey and has been visiting Belfast ahead of its launch this week.
At a launch event this week, the Belgian actor admitted it was only the second time that he had ever been to Ireland. However, he said he will be visiting more regularly now to work on his new brand.
Belfast Live reports: “The first time I came to Ireland was Dublin, then I went to Los Angeles and this is the second time only I have been to Ireland. Now I’ll have to come here more to pursue my goal, to make it happen because if I don’t it will not work."
“In French we say they don’t put any butter on their sleeve, which means the people in Ireland are very, very nice.
“They are always happy and very jovial, optimistic and they love to talk. In Belgium they love to talk as well.
“We love to sit in a coffee shop for example in a terrace, and spend two hours talking about life.”
The actor said he wanted to get involved with Irish whiskey production as it brought together two things that are very important to him.
He explained: “It was also the perfect opportunity to combine two things with which I feel a close affinity …whiskey and its rich heritage and the charisma and warmth of Ireland and its people.”
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