By John McGurk
03 October 2004An Ulster couple received a perfect 'present' on their wedding day - a flying visit from 'Batman'!
For the happiest day of James and Kerry Dawson's lives was made even more special - with the arrival of Hollywood movie superstar, Michael Keaton.
The 53-year-old actor fulfilled a promise to make James and Kerry's big day, when they tied the knot at the Christ The Redeemer Church in the Lagmore area of west Belfast.
But the modest star of movie blockbusters, Batman and Batman Returns was adamant that the spotlight shone on James and his beautiful bride, Kerry on their wedding day.
James said that his Hollywood hook-up happened after Michael and Beverly Hills 90210 actress ex-wife, Caroline McWilliams got involved in the Project Children scheme, to bring Belfast children to the USA for the summer.
The lucky Lenadoon lad spent eight summers staying in the couple's California homes - becoming great mates with their only son, Sean.
And the Bank of Ireland international department worker made sure that Sean realised that they remain best friends - asking the 22-year-old American to be his best man at the Belfast wedding!
Remembering his Hollywood holidays, James said: "Every time I went over there, I had the time of my life. It was quite an experience.
"I got to visit the sets of his films, like Batman Returns; Speechless, with Geena Davis and Desperate Measures, with Andy Garcia.
"Michael is a quality guy - a really great guy to be around, a good guy to have fun with - and very entertaining."
So, when James's wedding to teenage sweetheart, Kerry was organised last summer, a hush-hush invitation was sent Stateside to Michael.
The star of Beetle Juice, Pacific Heights and upcoming Disney movie, Herbie: Fully Loaded jetted into Ireland, just hours before the couple's big day - staying in The Culloden Hotel.
James revealed that the unflappable 'Batman' had been a true gent - signing autographs and chatting to guests at the reception in the Ballymac Hotel, Stoneyford.
He said: "He was pretty tired and jet lagged when he arrived. But he said that he had definitely wanted to get over here and that he wouldn't have missed the wedding for the world."
Kerry added: "He didn't have that 'here I am' sort of attitude. He made sure that the limelight wasn't taken away from us one bit on our wedding day, which was lovely."
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jmcgurk@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
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