Fans shocked as huge TV star spotted on Brighton pier working at ‘normal job’ away from fame
FANS have been left shocked after a huge TV star was spotted on Brighton pier working at a ‘normal job.’
Jim Moir, also known as comedian Vic Reeves, surprised seaside goers yesterday by illustrating members of the public.
The funnyman-turned-artist caught the likenesses of tourists and locals on Brighton’s iconic pier in his very own ‘Sketched By Jim’ illustration station.
In recent years, comedy has taken a backseat as the 64-year-old embraces his artistic side, with a particular fondness for painting birds.
But in a departure from his usual technique of painting, the Leeds-born star sketched members of the public on a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, using its S Pen.
Of his career switch up, Jim said: “Painting is what I’ve always done.
“I’ve always been immersed in a creative environment, and I love exploring new techniques to take my art to the next level.”
Various members of the public ad their sketches done by Jim, with one saying: “I came on Brighton Pier for a walk and did a double take when I saw him.
“I thought – that looks like Jim Moir. And it was! It’s been fabulous to sit with him and get an illustration done.
“I’ve been a fan of his for years – it really made my day.”
Aisha Mitchell, 32, from Eastbourne also had their likeness captured by the star and was similarly taken with their portrait.
They said: “I’m really pleased with the illustration – Jim did a great job, it’s so full of his humour.”
It comes a couple of years after the comedian had a non-removable tumour in his head which left him permanently deaf in one ear.
The comedian said he had to have regular MRI scans to check the growth, which means he can’t tell where cars are coming from when he partially hears them approaching.
Vic, a keen musician who has had a number one hit with Dizzy and a number three with a re-working of The Monkees’ I’m a Believer, said: “I’ve got a vestibular schwannoma – it’s a tumour in my head.
“I’ve gone completely deaf, 100 per cent deaf, in the left ear, and it will never come back.
“It’s dead – absolutely completely gone. It’s like the size of a grape so they just have to keep an eye on it.
“It’s benign. They can’t remove it – they can shrink it or they can leave it and keep an eye on it, and that’s what they’re doing.”
But it hasn’t stopped him from his illustrations, and he added: “Partnering with Samsung and the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra has allowed me to try new methods and styles, and I’m so glad I could bring joy to Brighton’s seafront through the power of digital art.”