He said he would be back and now, decades after he came to Belfast as a young bodybuilder, Arnold Schwarzenegger has returned to the city for a special honour.

Ulster University (UU) rolled out the red carpet for Schwarzenegger on Monday and conferred an honorary degree on the Hollywood-star-turned-politician.

The university said the doctorate is in recognition of his contributions to public service, environmental advocacy and the arts.

Schwarzenegger told the event his first visit to Belfast in 1966 was a "breakthrough" moment for him because it was the first time he was invited to speak in public.

The  Austrian-born film star said he could not speak English at the time and "nearly fainted" when he was asked to address the crowd at a bodybuilding competition.

He managed to mutter a few words with the help of his host, and was thrilled to receive a standing ovation from the crowd for his efforts.

"What happened that day in Belfast was so important to me because every single time afterwards when I won a competition I went to the microphone," he recalled.

"Each time I said more and more and more, and eventually they couldn't shut me up, I love talking so much in public."

Schwarzenegger's first visit to Northern Ireland in 1966 came as the result of an invitation from a local bodybuilding judge.

Arriving penniless, the then unknown athlete was allowed to bunk up in the judge's house in Dundonald where he was treated to an Ulster fry.

On Monday, Schwarzenegger joked that he was "tricked" into coming back to Belfast during a video call with UU's chancellor and vice-chancellor several months ago.

The film star said he was asked by the UU representatives if he still believed in free speech, to which he replied: "Of course I do."

His hosts then replied: "Good, you are going to give one on 30 March in Belfast."

"So I was tricked, I couldn't get out of it anymore," Schwarzenegger laughed.

The Terminator star was invited to meet students and athletes during the reception at UU's campus in Belfast city centre.

Some students spoke of their surprise to see Schwarzenegger in their university.

"I can't believe he's here, of all places," said Niamh.

"It's kind of random, but it's kind of crazy," said her friend Sinead.

Eoin Heaney studies film at UU.

He said having Schwarzenegger visiting is going to "do wonders" for his course and the university.

"I remember I saw Terminator 2 about a decade ago and I couldn't get over it, it was simply sublime," Heaney said.

"It was one of those first real big movies I saw because I was most acquainted with Marvel at the time and it just completely blew my mind," he said.

"I would say it's my favourite movie of his."

A group of musicians and dancers performed for Schwarzenegger at Monday's event.

Ursula Burns, a harpist from Belfast, was one of them.

She said she was "shaking like a leaf" before the performance, but added, the experience was "amazing".

"When I realised I had to carry the harp on stage and stand right beside him to play I was nervous," Burns said.

The performers were not permitted to tell people about Schwarzenegger's visit ahead of Monday, Burns said.

"I just can't wait to tell my brothers about it because we would've all watched Terminator together," she said.

Favour Okpohs, the Belfast vice president at Ulster University Students' Union, said having Schwarzenegger at UU makes her "really proud".

"One thing I'm going home with is the advice he has given - to have confidence and faith in yourself, believe in yourself, have a goal".

Another student, Robert, remembers watching Schwarzenegger's films as a child and arrived hoping to get an autograph.

"I've never met someone so big," he said.

"In my eyes, I feel like it's a big deal not just for the city, but for the country to have such a global icon come here."

An honorary doctorate is the highest honour UU can bestow and is awarded to inspirational people who have made an outstanding impact in their field.

"Few individuals have shaped global culture across sport, film and public life in the way that Dr Arnold Schwarzenegger has," said the UU's vice-chancellor Prof Paul Bartholemew. o

"He built a name for himself in professional bodybuilding and acting and he used that platform for ultimate good."

He described Schwarzenegger as a powerful advocate "for the environment, for the people of California and for the philanthropic causes he champions".

In 1966, a 19-year-old Schwarzenegger was competing at a Mr Universe event in London when he caught the attention of one of the judges, Ivan Dunbar.

Dunbar was a prominent figure in the bodybuilding scene in Northern Ireland at the time and invited the teenager to take part in a competition in Belfast.

In an interview on a BBC chat show in 1995, Dunbar said when Schwarzenegger arrived he had no money, spoke no English but had great charisma.

"He didn't have anything except enthusiasm and talent, and he did have a talent," he  recalled.

Schwarzenegger stayed at Dunbar's home in Dundonald, where like all his guests he was served an Ulster fry for breakfast.

During the UU reception, Schwarzenegger was introduced to Dunbar's daughter and was also reunited with a woman he posed with during his first visit to Belfast.

Sandra Weir (formerly Burrows) was one of two women who were pictured with the young bodybuilder in 1966, as he lifted them both into the air at the same time.

Weir said the actor was "in good form" and the pair "had a good laugh" during their brief reunion.

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