James receives a glitzy Northern Irish Goodbye

Starbucks colleagues wish star well as he heads off to Oscars

- LAUREN HARTE

ACTOR James Martin is being given a spectacular send-off by his work colleagues at Starbucks this week as he prepares to jet off for the Oscars.

Having worked at the chain in Belfast for over 10 years, the star of An Irish Goodbye will soon be swapping his trademark green apron for a swanky leopard-skin jacket.

An Irish Goodbye has also been nominated in the best short film category at the 95th Academy Awards, which will take place on James' 31st birthday on March 12.

He is still "buzzing" after his film picked up a BAFTA earlier this month and his colleagues are just as excited about his upcoming trip to tinsel town.

James, who has also graced our screens in ITV drama Marcella and BBC TV film Ups and Downs, plays Lorcan in the black comedy, which is set on a rural farm and tells the story of two estranged brothers who come together after their mother's death to fulfil her bucket list.

Tom Berkeley and Ross White wrote and directed the short, which was filmed on location in Derry, Templepatrick and Saintfield.