COMEDIAN Billy Connolly has said he is “overjoyed” with three giant murals in his honour.
The portraits of the Big Yin have been created in his native city of Glasgow to mark his 75th birthday.
Visiting the murals, he said: “I’m truly amazed at the effect these have had on me. They’ve just completely stunned me.
“I thought I’d be all light-hearted on seeing them and jokey, but they’re so big – the effect on me is so profound. You know, people going to that length for me, it’s just taken my breath away.
“I’m just flabbergasted, overjoyed, it’s been a brilliant experience – being painted and otherwise by these genius people taking the time to do it. It just takes my breath away, I love it.”
The murals, which are more than 50ft high, have been created by BBC Scotland together with Glasgow City Council and project manager Art Pistol Projects.
They are based on original portraits by top Scottish artists – John Byrne, Jack Vettriano and Rachel Maclean – commissioned by BBC Scotland. Vettriano’s Dr Connolly, I Presume? depicts a wind swept Billy on a storm-lashed coast from the comedian’s 1994 World Tour of Scotland series.
Billy Connolly: Portrait of a Lifetime, will be broadcast on BBC One Scotland this Wednesday.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel