Derry Girls stars take to the red carpet in Derry at premiere of Series 3

The stars of Derry Girls took to the red carpet at Omniplex on Derry's Strand Road for the premiere of the third and final series.

Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Erin), Jamie-Lee O’Donnell (Michelle) and Ian McElhinney (Granda Joe) were joined by Art Campion (Father Peter), Michael Lennox (Director) and Lisa McGee (writer/creator).

Lisa McGee said she can't believe the popularity of the show but is so proud to be such a big part of it: "I was so nervous about how everyone would take to the show when it first aired," she said.

"When you write a show about a place, especially your hometown, you need people to like it. Thank god they did or I would never be able to come back," she laughed. 

The hit Channel 4 show has fans across the globe and has seen Derry put on the map for all the right reasons.

Derry natives themselves, Saoirse-Monica Jackson who plays Erin and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell who plays Michelle, said it makes them so proud to be part of something so special and in their beloved Derry.

"I will never get this chance in my career," Erin said. "To have all my family at a premiere of something so special, it's amazing. We are so privileged and proud to be a part of such an amazing show."

Jamie-Lee added: "To bring the premiere back home to Derry and to shine such a positive light on Derry, it means the world to us."

The show's Director, Michael Lennox, said his job was made so easy by the fantastic cast: "I feel so honoured to have worked with this big, crazy family. The cast and crew gelled so well, we really created something special together." 

Ian McElhinney who plays Granda Joe said it felt like the perfect ending to the beloved show, "It's not often you get control over when a show ends," he said. "This finale felt right. The show is called Derry Girls and they're all growing up into young women, they can't be girls forever. This was the perfect time and the perfect ending."

The third and final series of Derry Girls will be emotional but is set to be full of craic, cameos and crazy adventure.

The first episode of the much anticipated series will air on Channel 4 on April 12 at 9.15 pm.