BRIAN Cox has been confirmed as the Grand Marshal of the 2020 New York City Tartan Day Parade for a record second time.
The Dundee-born actor will be the first ever Grand Marshal to reprise his role in the event’s 22nd year – since it moved to Manhattan’s iconic Sixth Avenue – returning eight years after he led his first parade.
A 40-year-long career in film, television and theatre has brought him success on both sides of the Pond and he is relishing the chance to celebrate once again. He said: “I’m honoured to be returning to my role of a lifetime – Grand Marshal of the New York City Tartan Day Parade. America holds a dear place in my heart, and to be able to celebrate my heritage and homeland of Scotland along with thousands of New Yorkers is a feeling unlike any other.”
READ MORE: Succession star Brian Cox: Scottish independence is inevitable
Cox triumphed at this year’s Golden Globes Awards – bagging Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series for his main role in award-winning TV show Succession and his performance as Logan Roy puts him at the forefront of one of the biggest entertainment companies in the world.
He will lead a parade of around 3000 participants – including solo pipers, drummers, full pipe bands and highland dancers – as part of the New York City Tartan Week’s five-day programme dating back to 1998 and celebrating the Scottish-American contributions to the United States.
The parade has been previously marshalled by Sir Sean Connery and, most recently, Billy Connolly who attracted a record 50,000 spectators.
Kyle Dawson, president of the National Tartan Day New York Committee, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome back Brian Cox as Grand Marshal of this year’s New York City Tartan Day Parade in April. For 40 years, he has wowed the masses with his incredible acting. His love of America runs as deep as the love he has for his Scottish roots, making him the perfect Scot to lead our parade. See you all in April.”
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 here