Billy is our hero

BILLY Connolly has been a credit to Scotland over his long career.

He exploded on to the comedy scene with legendary appearances on the Parkinson talk show in the 70s.

And his performance in An Audience With.. stills brings tears of laughter more than 30 years on.

Few would argue he is anything less than Britain’s greatest-ever comedian and the likes of Kevin Bridges and Eddie Izzard talk of him in reverential terms.

But Billy has always been much more than just a teller of jokes and funny stories.

A rebellious streak forged on the streets and shipyards of Glasgow runs through his veins.

He has dealt with his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis with great dignity and, of course, humour.

Billy is nothing less than a comic genius and a great Scot. He throughly deserves his knighthood.

Arise, Sir Big Yin.