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Billy Connolly Says Goodbye To Stand-Up Career With ITV Documentary Airing Tomorrow Night

Billy Connolly Says Goodbye To Stand-Up Career With ITV Documentary Airing Tomorrow Night

The Big Yin is calling time on his career in the spotlight

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

Billy Connolly is set to take his last bow and end his glittering showbusiness career with a one-off special show looking back on his years in the limelight.

The 'Big Yin' has retired from stand-up comedy due to his Parkinson's disease, which he says doesn't allow him to 'think as sharply' as he once did.

The 'uplifting and emotional' ITV special will feature tributes from celebrity fans, a variety of material from across Connolly's incredible career, and - of course - the unique perspective of the man himself.

The 78-year-old has admitted that 'quitting' his 50-year-long career is 'the right thing to do' and claims that he doesn't even miss it anymore.

PA

Speaking to The Mirror, he said: "Since the Parkinson's I'm still the same in many ways, but I don't think as sharply as I need to, to be a stand-up.

"I've done 50 years and that's plenty. Quitting is the right thing to do."

He added: "I achieved everything I wanted, played everywhere I wanted to.

"I did it all."

After Billy was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2013, he kept touring for a while, but decided to put the mic down for good earlier this year.

Parkinson's disease is an incurable condition that damages the brain progressively over a number of years.

At the time, the Glaswegian told Sky News: "I'm finished with stand-up - it was lovely and it was lovely being good at it. It was the first thing I was ever good at."

So, tomorrow, he'll take one final curtain call on Billy Connolly: It's Been A Pleasure.

PA

Expect some emotional moments, some never-before-seen performance footage, and chats with famous Billy fans from the A-List such as Dustin Hoffman, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John and Russell Brand.

Of course, there'll be some words from his wife, Pamela Stephenson.

ITV said: "Sir Billy Connolly recently announced that he was officially stepping back from live stand-up performance.

"To mark this major moment in comedy history, this star-studded one-hour special celebrates Billy's anarchic genius and life-affirming brand of humour.

"There are also unique new insights from the woman who knows Billy best - his wife and soulmate, Pamela Stephenson."

PA

"His A-list fans will share their memories of Billy, send him personal messages and pick their all-time highlights from his glorious comedy catalogue. The man himself will react to their choices and reveal his own favourites."

"Billy Connolly: It's Been A Pleasure is a definitive celebration of an all-time great.

"An uplifting, emotional and hilarious hour in the company of the legendary Big Yin at his entertaining best.

"It will make you laugh. It may even make you cry. A fitting send-off for a stand-up megastar."

Billy Connolly: It's Been A Pleasure will air on 28 December at 9.30pm.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity, UK Entertainment, ITV