‘Independence will keep Scotland in Europe’ – Connolly

Sir Billy Connolly has said he may be ready to support Scottish independence over Brexit, despite his long-held aversion to nationalism.

The Big Yin has been a stern critic of “patriotism” throughout his career, ridiculing Scottish Nationalists both on and off stage.

But as the Brexit vote divides British voters, he has spoken out for a pan-european togetherness which could see Scotland leave the UK.

The revelations emerge in his new book, Made in Scotland.

“One thing I’ve never had any interest in is hating England and the English,” according to excerpts from the book ina Sunday newspaper.

“I like Thomas Hardy as much as I like Robert Burns. As an anglophile, I’ve never shouted for Scottish independence – but I might be changing my mind now.”

Connolly once compared the SNP to “Nazis” and although he never publicly backed either side during the 2014 referendum, he voiced his suspicion of “patriotism” in the months leading up to the vote on Scottish independence.

But in his new book he says: “The Brexit vote is a disaster and the breaking up of togetherness of Europe is a crime bordering on a sin. I think the more we are together, not separate, the happier they will be.

“The most important thing for Scotland is to keep our contact with Europe. Scots voted to stay in Europe and if the only way for us to do that is to become independent from 0 Sir Billy Connolly had spoken against independence in 2014

England, that may just be the way to go. And I never thought I would say that.”

The Glasgow-born star, 75, who has enjoyed a successful acting career alongside his life in comedy, revealed in 2013 that he was being treated for the initial symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

During an interview earlier this year, he described himself as “the least patriotic man in the world”.

He added: “I do love Scotland, but if the love for your country is all you have, you’re in a desperate state.

“I dislike people that write England off because they’re Scottish. It’s unfair and brutal.”

He reveals in the book that Parkinson’s now “dominates” his life to a large degree.

“It occupies a lot of my thinking time every single day,” he adds in the new book.”

“The thing that I find hardest aboutparkinson’siscomingto grips with the fact that it’s never going to go away.”

Connolly started his show business career as a folk singer before developing the standup act that led to a career in television and film.