AS an Asian schoolboy in London's East End 30 years ago, Jeff Mirza might not have been an obvious fan of Billy Connolly's madcap Glasgow humour.

But the Bend it Like Beckham star's family couldn't get enough of the Big Yin on TV.

And yesterday he got the chance to bring his own brand of comedy to his hero's hometown when he entertained a crowd of thousands in Pollokshields for the Eid on the Drive festival.

The comic was the star guest when the festival took over Albert Drive for its second year and he couldn't wait to face his biggest Scottish crowd.

And he said the Glaswegian was one of the main reasons he started on a comedy career.

The funnyman said: "Billy Connolly just looked extraordinary.

"He would say things you couldn't get away with normally but you can with comedy.

"The whole family would be rolling about seeing him on Parkinson, or watching the Two Ronnies," another of his favourites.

The comedian knows Pollokshields from earlier visits and described it as a "cool, pretty well integrated," area.

He said it was vital that Glasgow's diverse communities got to know one another, and not rely on images from the news that don't portray the real lives of Muslims in Britain.

The comic said: "We should be pushing Eid for everyone.

"It's a great festival. The kids wear bright clothes, it's a happy time and an ideal time for the community to show what they're all about.

"All some people see of Muslim communities is the man with the big beard shouting at somebody. That's not the community I know."

Yesterday the main route through Pollokshields was transformed with stalls, shows and performances with music ranging from African drummers to the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band.

The event began only last year as a response to anti-social behaviour from some young people marred the previous year's celebration after the month of daylight fasting.

The festival was hailed an instant success, attracting an estimated 5000 people, a quarter of them locals who were not Muslims but wanted to join the party.

Councillor Irfan Rabbani who helped organise the event, said: "Eid on the Drive was initially about tackling anti-social behaviour and increasing community safety, but I'm glad to say the outcomes were many more.

"It brought the community and individuals together, for what in my experience was the first time in Pollokshields."