Belfast actor James Martin, who starred in the Oscar-winning An Irish Goodbye, has told how he “cried his eyes out” after learning he was to be made an MBE in the New Year Honours List.
Martin, who has Down syndrome, said he hoped the honour would inspire people with learning difficulties.
The honour caps a remarkable year for the actor, after the short film An Irish Goodbye swept the major awards ceremonies.
Martin also got to meet US President Joe Biden during his visit to Belfast in April and was made an honorary graduate by Ulster University.
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He also made it into the Guinness Book of World Records as the first actor with Down syndrome to star in a film which won an Oscar, a Bafta and an Ifta.
He said “It has been a fantastic year, it has been one of those years that a lot of people are talking about it.
“Not just from the Baftas to the Oscars, it has been a great nine months.”
He told of his excitement after receiving the letter which informed him he was to be made an MBE.
“I was really emotional and really happy. It is amazing when you get something in the post, you get really excited about something and that was one, it was very fantastic.
“It is a big award, it’s really nice to be honoured. It is really lovely when you are included. I was really excited.
“I am receiving it because I am the first person with Down syndrome winning a lot of awards. It is just really nice that I am receiving something for representing Northern Ireland and that is really lovely.
“I was happy, crying. I did cry my eyes out.
“It was my mum Suzanne who opened the letter first and she handed me the letter. I just smiled and was crying in a nice happy way.
“I was so touched. My mum was crying and my father Ivan. It was a nice, emotional family thing and a nice way to say well done.
“I was just back from the football with my dad and then there was this letter, it was just really lovely.
“I saw my name on it, it was really lovely just to have. I am going to keep this really close to my heart.”
Martin said he wants to continue to inspire people with learning difficulties.
He said, “I am in the Guinness Book of World Records 2024, which I got for Christmas, because I am the first person with Down syndrome to win three awards, the Bafta, Oscar and Ifta in one year.
“There are a lot of things ahead. I am going to be on shows, a lot of people are talking to me.”
Additional reporting – PA
