Thornton delays gig to watch Liverpool game

Hollywood wildman Billy Bob Thornton is delaying a gig by two hours tonight so he can watch the Champions League clash between Liverpool FC and Bayer Leverkusen.

Thornton, a rock singer before he became a film star, was due to take the stage at the Cavern Club in Liverpool at 8pm.

But he insisted on delaying the performance after learning he could watch the match with one of his idols, Merseybeat singer Gerry Marsden.

A Cavern spokesman said: ‘‘Billy Bob was due on at eight but he has delayed it until ten so he can watch the match with Gerry.

‘‘He grew up listening to Merseybeat bands like Gerry and the Pacemakers and the Beatles, and that is why he chose to play the Cavern.

‘‘When he realised he could watch the Liverpool match on television with one of his idols, he knew that was what he wanted to do.’’

Billy Bob Thornton was nominated for a best actor Oscar for the film Sling Blade