WE leave the English launch of a musical about George Best, hot from its success in Belfast, clutching a No 7 shirt.

It reads Dancing Shoes, The George Best Story.

Manchester United player, Pat Crerand, who attended the launch, says: “George would be amazed to know a musical had been written about him.”

When you hear the duet, George’s Dancing Shoes, one of eleven lovely numbers composed by JJ Gilmour and Pat Gribben, you are won over.

It is performed by Aidan O’Neill (a spitting image George Best) and Kerri Quinn (Angie Best).

Kerri, wearing a silver sixties dress, sings about loving George. “Did you win or lose?” she asks.

This tear-jerking show is not just about a shy East Belfast teenager from the Cregagh Estate who became a world name, but about the scourge of alcoholism.

Co-writer, Marie Jones, says: “George was an icon. The challenge (for me) was to get to know him.

Producer, Martin Lynch, who shared the writing, explains their collaboration.

“We decided together on the storyline and characters.

"After working out that we needed 22 scenes, we alternated the writing. We laughed a lot.”

Pat remembered spotting George in a youth match. He said to Jack (Charlton) “Who the hell is that?”

Aidan says: “People who knew the man would see the show in Northern Ireland. The pressure on me was huge.

“It’s physically demanding, too. In a two hour show, I only have five – 10 minutes off stage. And I have to play football!”

* Dancing Shoes is at the Lowry, Salford, from September 5 to 10. For tickets telephone 0843 208 6010 or www.thelowry.com