Morrison failed Irish slang test

Legendary singer Van Morrison surprised The Chieftains star Paddy Maloney when he failed to recognise Dublin slang.

Maloney says the Moondance star, who was born in Northern Ireland, became confused during a studio session in which they re-recorded Irish Heartbeat - a song Morrison originally released with the traditional folk band in 1988.

Maloney says: "We were recording Irish Heartbeat and Van was into these long cadenzas at the end of a song.

"So I said to him: 'Fine, but just before you're going into one of them can you give me the Billy?' That's Dublin slang for give me the nod.

"So he says: 'Yeah great no problem.' So the song is coming to an end and Van starts to shouting: 'Billy! Billy! Billy!'"