GETS SPECIAL HONOUR
Comedian Billy Connolly made a rare appearance at the UK’S National Comedy Awards to accept the Victoria Wood Lifetime Achievement Award.
A rapturous crowd gave him a standing ovation as he was introduced via video link, with Billy using his acceptance speech to pay tribute to the performers that had inspired his career.
The legendary Brit, who retired from comedy three years ago, jokingly added that he was glad he retired when he did, because today’s crop of comedians are all better than him.
Billy announced his retirement from stand-up due to the onset of degenerative Parkinson’s disease. Speaking of his health battles last year, Billy, 79, admitted in an ABC interview: “It goes up and down … I am in a worse state than
I realise sometimes.”
Off the back of Billy’s accolade comes a new documentary about his life. Billy Connolly: My Absolute Pleasure airs this week on Channel 7 and is a joyful celebration of the funnyman’s half-century-long career.