Arnold Schwarzenegger back in Belfast as he receives honorary degree

By Claudia Savage, Press Association

Actor and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger has been presented with an honorary degree during a visit to Belfast.

Schwarzenegger, 78, said it was “unbelievable” to be back in the city 60 years after his first visit.

The Austrian-born star received the honorary doctorate from Ulster University in recognition of his contributions to public service, environmental advocacy, and the arts.

Students cheered and held signs reading “Ulster he’s back” and “Hasta La Vista Ulster”, while some brought copies of his movie Terminator 2.

Schwarzenegger told those on the red carpet rolled out for his arrival: “Ulster University is a very important university, and it’s always a great honour to be honoured like that.

“I tell you what makes this special, because it’s kind of a 60-year anniversary and 60 years ago, in 1966 I was in Belfast for the first time, and there was this 19-year-old bodybuilder that was doing a posing exhibition here, because there was this new upcoming bodybuilding champion.

“So I came here, I was invited by Ivan Dunbar, this Irish man, I think his family is here… he passed away I’m sad to say, but that’s where my beginning was, in Ireland, in Belfast.

“And it’s wonderful to be back in Northern Ireland and to kind of get to see, this is not something that I dreamt of when I was 19-years-old, when I was here 60 years ago, that one day I will be coming here to get an honorary doctorate degree, it’s unbelievable.”

Following a ceremony to present the honorary degree, Schwarzenegger answered questions from broadcaster Holly Hamilton.