Sadness and despair amid the laughter

BILLY Connolly is a globally loved Scottish comedian and actor, knighted in 2017 by Queen Elizabeth II. There was no sign back then, that the next few years would be extremely challenging for him.

Connolly has Parkinson's and in 2013 decided to retire from live performances. As time went by, his hands began to shake uncontrollably. He also suffers from prostate cancer.

His brilliantly titled new autobiography, Windswept and Interesting, is both a visual description of the man and also the way he conducts his life.

“I dictated my thoughts and memories into my phone. It wasn't as easy as I imagined, because my phone turned out to be none too bright – the software I used couldn't understand a Glaswegian accent.”

Fans of Connolly will be totally comfortable with the narrative style of this book. Much like his comedy, it is free flowing and unscripted, free from the constraints of any pretence of politeness… and hysterically funny and endearing.

“Say the first thing that comes into your mind and don't worry about what might happen as a result.” Only a man confident in his craft can move through life like that. Sir Billy does, to the delight of his many fans.

Connolly was orphaned at a very young age and survived shocking abuse at the hands of his own family. His humour became not only his career, but also his saviour.

There is much in Connolly's autobiography that illustrates the wisdom of a man who has not had an easy life, while giving much joy to many people around the world. Of course, there is much that is funny – very funny. But, in between the laughs, there is sadness, despair, a love of life, warmth, and charm too and of course oodles of laughs.

Not the easiest of reads, the narrative hops about rather than flowing, but maybe that's what happens when one is Windswept and Interesting?