By Graeme Strachan

DUNDEE ACTOR Brian Cox celebrated his 60th birthday and renewed his marriage vows on the banks of the River Tay on Saturday as Hollywood talent came to Fife.

Brian took time off from his busy theatre schedule to celebrate his birthday in style with a bash at Birkhill Castle, overlooking the Tay.

The romantic ceremony made it a double celebration for the actor and his wife, German actress Nicole Ansari (35).

Brian, who has starred in films including The X-Men, The Bourne Identity and The Ring, said, “Nicole and I are delighted to be celebrating with family and friends here in Scotland.

“Although my work takes me round the world, Scotland, and especially Dundee, will always be home to me.”

A host of celebrities joined family and friends from Dundee.

Among the guests were Billy Connolly and his wife Pamela Stephenson, Nina Myskow and Lorraine Kelly.

Brian has two young sons with his second wife Nicole—Orson (4) and Torin, who is 18 months—as well as grown-up son Alan and daughter Margaret from his 18-year marriage to Caroline Burt.

Orson, Torin and Margaret were there but Alan, who has followed his father into acting, was unable to make it as he is filming in Texas.

Brian’s sister, Bette Gaffney, who lives in Dundee, called the bash “out of this world.”

She said, “It was raining on Friday and Sunday, but on Saturday it was absolutely gorgeous.

“Brian and Nicole renewed their wedding vows in the rose garden and then went down to the beach.

“It was a beautiful setting and the scenery was stunning.

“Nicole looked gorgeous and it was such a wonderful ceremony.”

The party continued into the early hours of Sunday with live bands to keep the throng of 250 friends and family entertained.

Bette said Brian’s birthday party concluded with a fireworks display that thrilled guests.

Birkhill Castle lies on the shores of the Tay estuary and is the home of the Earl and Countess of Dundee.

Brian is currently starring on stage alongside his wife Nicole in the new Tom Stoppard play, Rock ’n’ Roll, which is taking London’s West End by storm.

Today Brian is due to attend an unveiling of a special portrait of him at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.

The original Hannibal Lecter, Brian also starred in the films Braveheart and Rob Roy in 1995.

On the stage he has played roles including King Lear at the National Theatre and Titus Andronicus with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

His recent return to the stage has cemented his reputation as one of Britain’s finest working actors.