Off-the-wall comedians

Bill Murray pub gets a new mural

comedy London’s Bill Murray stand-up venue has had a makeover – with new portraits of comedy icons spray-painted on to its walls.

The Islington pub, the home of Angel Comedy club, features new, larger-than-life portraits of icons such as Billy Connolly, Victoria Wood and Rowan Atkinson - all created by French street artist Zabou.

The 20m x 2.5m piece took eight days to complete and replaces her previous mural, which has been in place since The Bill Murray opened in 2016 following a crowd-funding drive.

Barry Ferns, co-founder of Angel Comedy, said: ‘She wanted to do it, because she's a graffiti artist, and change and reworking and development is part of the game; I was sad to lose some of the original art that she did, but the new work is absolutely phenomenal.

‘We even have a picture of Bill Murray on the front this time. By complete coincidence, he has the same name as the person the pub was named after - the first Earl of Dysart, Sir William Murray.’

Murray mural

Pubs cannot be named after living people without their permission, so the backers of Angel Comedy had to get creative when the Groundhog Day star did not respond to their request to give his blessing. The bar is therefore named after the official whipping boy of Charles I, who was punished by proxy with a ferocious beating whenever the royal misbehaved as a prince.

Zabou, 29, moved to London in 2012 and has been exhibited at The Saatchi Gallery.

• The pub has also introduced its own pale ale, wittily titled Ground Hop Day. It has been made by Watneys, whose account manager Elliott Fulton said: ‘Ground Hop Day is a light and refreshing golden pale ale, with a citrus aroma and dry hoppy finish; very easy drinking and perfect to get you in the mood for a good night of comedy.’