Billy Connolly was awarded the freedom of the city of Glasgow at a ceremony in the city chambers last night. Affectionately known as "The Big Yin", Connolly was given the award in recognition of his long career in comedy, film and television, as well as his charity work.
The 67-year-old comedian, who yesterday delivered a rousing eulogy in memory of his late friend Jimmy Reid, attended the ceremony in flamboyant Comme des Garcons tartan strides and dark jacket.
Connolly, arguably the most-famous Glaswegian in the world, said that he was hugely honoured to receive the award, although admitted that he did not know of the existence of the freedom of the city prior to being nominated for it in June this year. However, demonstrating that he had since read-up on the benefits of the freedom, The Big Yin quipped:
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"This has taken my breath away. I am completely blown away. I am thrilled and I can't really put into words how I feel about it. Apparently I have to defend Glasgow if called to, which I am perfectly prepared to do and which I have done on many, many occasions in the past.
But if I commit a crime and am flung in jail, I am entitled to a cell of my own, which I would like more than anything in the world."
Connolly, who lives in homes in New York and Aberdeenshire, said he was hugely proud to be a Glawegian but was sometimes stunned by the rate of change in his home city, and felt nostalgic for the city of his past.
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"I don’t dwell on where I come from. It's a great trap to fall into. I meet all these guys all over world, particularly from Govan and the Gorbals, who say 'Never forget where you come from', and of course I don’t, but it can be a mistake to dwell on it. You can get a bit, 'Och aye the noo'. But I’m immensely proud of Glasgow. And as soon as I open my mouth, you can tell where I come from."
The Anderston-born comedian, who once famously joked that Glasgow's most-endearing quality was that if the city was hit in a nuclear attack it would look exatly the same afterwards, added:
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"There's nothing I would change about Glasgow. In fact, it changes too much for me. I come back and the trendy restaurant isn’t the trendy restaurant any more. It gets brighter and brighter but I liked it the way it was. When I think of Glasgow I see Renfield Street; it’s raining, there’s cobbles. It was beautiful. It was like Las Vegas."
Messages of congratulation were sent by other freemen of the city of Glasgow including Nelson Mandela, Jim Watt, Sir Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish.
GG.