Jim Moir aka Vic Reeves battles empty nest syndrome after twin daughters leave home

Jim Moir is flying high with a new exhibition of bird paintings, but at home there’s a case of empty nest syndrome.

The artist formerly known as Vic Reeves is showing off 50 artworks on his favourite subject, including British birds from his Sky Arts TV show Painting Birds with Jim and Nancy Moir.

The couple, married for 21 years, waved off their 18-year-old twin daughters Nell and Lizzie to university this week, and are now coming to terms with a quieter life at home in Kent.

Jim, 65, said: “I’ve got four kids and these are the last two to leave. So there’s empty nest syndrome. Nancy was more teary than me but I’m a tough guy.”

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The girls have inherited their dad’s performing genes, with Lizzie studying at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and Nell at the International College of Musical Theatre, both in London.

Jim shot to fame as a comedian and musician alongside Bob Mortimer in the 1990s on Channel 4 ’s surreal Big Night Out and BBC2’s Shooting Stars.

Both stars are now enjoying a more genteel pace of telly, with a third series of Jim’s Sky show being discussed, and Bob, 65, reeling in viewers on his hit BBC show Gone Fishing, which returns tomorrow.

While there are no immediate plans for any further reunions, he loved painting with Bob on a Christmas bird special last year. He said: “Whenever we meet, it’s back to how we always were. But we’re old, old fellas now.”

Jim, who gave up playing Vic Reeves about 10 years ago, says his Sky series is the best job he’s had as it combines his loves of art, birds and wife Nancy, 50. He said: “People think I’m a comedian but art comes first.”

His paintings can now sell for upwards of £12,000, although he did accept £100 worth of sweets for painting the cover of the Kaiser Chiefs’ latest album.

His exhibition, Birdland, is at the RedHouse Gallery in Harrogate, North Yorks, until next Saturday. Jim chose the venue as he “loves a posh northern town”.

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