Liam Neeson is considering a switch to politics according to one of his closest friends in Northern Ireland, former Ballymena Mayor PJ McAvoy. Neeson is a native of the town.

McAvoy told the Belfast Telegraph, "It wouldn't surprise me if he went into politics because I feel it could be in his nature to want to help people. He's that sort of person. And obviously within the context of that there's a very broad scope to be able to do something of that nature.”

Neeson has certainly been throwing political shapes, fighting Mayor Bill de Blasio on horse carriages and calling for stricter gun control to name but two issues.

The 62-year-old has said he will quit his action roles in a few years – perhaps just in time for a race against Mayor de Blasio in 2017.

Former Ballymena mayor PJ McAvoy said Neeson has the talent for it. "Especially with his personality; a lot of politicians go in on the basis of their personality.

"He's one of the most popular actors in the world at the moment; there's no doubt about it. His movies have been great box office successes."

He said it was an ideal time for Neeson to do it after recovering from his wife’s death and seeing his kids off to college.

"In the aftermath of his wife's death, it was a different world for him," the ex-councillor said.

"The only thing that mattered was raising his two sons and getting them through their education. That was basically what he was endeavoring to get done. But they're in their late teens now.

Neeson has been an outspoken critic of de Blasio, especially on the horse and carriage issue. He is a New York City resident with an apartment close to Central Park.

Of course there is precedent. Major actors, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronald Reagan, made the transition.