Comedian Billy Connolly, 74, knighted for services to entertainment and charity in career spanning 50 years
Billy, aka the Big Yin, is known for his hilarious stand-up as well as his acting skills
STAND-UP comic Billy Connolly is knighted for services to entertainment and charity at the age of 74.
Known as the Big Yin — the Big One — Billy has left audiences around the world crying with laughter over his routines for nearly 50 years.
The Scot is also well known for his acting ability, having starring alongside Dame Judi Dench in Mrs Brown in 1997.
He also appeared in The Man Who Sued God and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.
Connolly was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2013 but with his trademark wit mocked the symptoms during one of his show's by playing Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On.
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Comedian Peter Kay described seeing Connolly perform as his "comedy epiphany", comparable to musicians seeing The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show.
He was awarded a Bafta Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003 and a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in the same year.