Billy Connolly: A ‘Love Letter’ to Billy Connolly is going on tour soon

A Scottish author and performer is set to take his ‘love letter’ to Sir Billy Connolly on tour in the new year.

Gary McNair has worked with an expert team of story collectors and the National Theater of Scotland to create a collection of moving and funny stories about the comedy legend called Dear Billy.

The show, announced to mark Sir Billy’s 80th birthday, will tour throughout 2023, culminating at Glasgow’s King’s Theatre.

The audience will participate in the show as McNair will collect stories from those in the crowd and weave them into the show as the tour progresses.

McNair said, “It’s an honor to do this show. Taking on a theme and a character as loved by audiences as Billy is is indeed a very proud moment and one I will cherish.

“It has been a joyous production to be a part of, with so many wonderful artists involved in its research and development.

“I hope we can continue that sense of joy as we head out and share it with audiences across the country.

“There will be a seat for Billy each night and we hope he can come along and see what he means to the people of Scotland.”

Jackie Wylie, Artistic Director of the National Theater of Scotland, said: “Billy Connolly is arguably Scotland’s most popular artist. We thought it fitting that his National Theater would honor him with a theatrical love letter in the form of a special new show.

“Dear Billy was created using the words collected from the people of Scotland about what Billy means to them and written and performed by the brilliant Gary McNair who will be touring across the country in 2023.”

Sir Billy, affectionately known as Big Yin, has had a career spanning more than 50 years.

Earlier this year, he was awarded the Bafta lifetime achievement grant.

He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013 and ended his tour in 2018. Earlier this week, days before his 80th birthday, a photo of Connolly was taken with many fans commenting on how handsome he was.