JIMEOIN’S BACK FOR THE LAUGH

As comedians go, Jimeoin is one of Northern Ireland’s finest – and funniest – exports.

And later this month, decades after upping sticks and moving to Australia, the Portstewart native is on his way home for a flying visit – and two nights of gigs at the Waterfront.

“People wondered, why would I ever leave here?” laughed the funnyman. “But I bought a one-way ticket and just went.”

It was only meant to be a year, but now married with four kids, it’s fair to say Jimeoin is there to stay.

Starting his stand-up career with gigs after work in his 20s, he’s been in the game longer than most comics.

But after years as a major name down under, Jimeoin started making a inroad on the comedy scene in this neck of the woods just a few years ago, with appearances on shows like Live at the Apollo and Sunday Night at the Palladium boosting his profile. So who’s funnier – us or the Aussies?

“There’s just that great nasty banter people at home have,” he said. “You get that sort of non-stop abuse, people tearing strips out of each other, and I don’t think you get it on that level everywhere else. That’s why it’s such a good gig in Belfast, because people know how to take it.

“In Australia though you do get likeable people, and at home you’ll get people who can talk a glass eye to sleep.

“That’s the thing – people get on your t*ts all over the world.”