Derry Girls fans were delighted to see the incredibly boring Uncle Colm return to the show

Paul Moore

“That’s not to say that in my younger years, I didn’t enjoy a boiled sweet”.

Given the manic energy that Michelle, Clare, Erin, James, and Orla have, Derry Girls fans have really come to love those moments when the gang’s bluster and bullshit gets checked.

This is largely done via the wonderful Sister Michael, but there’s no denying the appeal of a withering put-down from their parents, especially Ma Mary.

If our beloved Derry girls are energetic and wild, Uncle Colm is as dull as dishwater and yet, Kevin McAleer’s character has become an instant favourite in Lisa McGee’s superb ensemble.

Truth be told, every family has a relative that’s so boring that you would contemplate sticking the nearest sharp object into your ears just to avoid hearing their stories.

After making a memorable appearance in Season 1 with his story about shoelaces and being kidnapped, Uncle Colm was back in “the one place the boring bastard doesn’t talk” – the cinema.

After Aunt Sarah and her new boyfriend Ciaran gatecrashed the Quinns’ cinema date, things got worse for Gerry and Mary when they found out that Granda Joe and Uncle Colm were in attendance too.

Thankfully, Colm only managed to bore the arse off the poor girl that worked at the sweet stand, but the chat was excruciating and memorable.

Truth be told, we loved lines like, “that’s not to say that in my younger years, I didn’t enjoy a boiled sweet,” “I knew a fella from Ballynahinch – whose name escapes me – that was mad keen for the boiled sweets”.

“Sadly, he choked to death.”

Ahead of the episode airing, JOE had the chance to chat with the director of Derry Girls, Michael Lennox, and he was full of praise for McAleer’s performance.

“You just let him roll. With someone like that, you just don’t get in the way. He’s that good. He just does what he does,” said Lennox.

Well, the fans of Derry Girls can’t get enough of the most boring man on Foyleside.