Villain - the UK is NOT the same as Britain or Great Britain. The official name of this place is, as McGrath says, "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". Hence Northern Ireland IS part of the UK but NOT part of GB.

Not sure exactly what makes "Great Britain" greater than just plain "Britain" though.

And then there's "The British Isles" which includes the bits which are NOT part of the UK - specifically the Isle of Man and (I think) the Channel Islands. And possibly the Republic of Ireland too, although I doubt if its residents would agree!

Up the Spurs!

Steve