Billy Connolly is a BAFTA fellow

Comedian, actor, artist, writer, musician and presenter Billy Connolly (“Mrs. Brown”) will be honored with a BAFTA Scholarship at this year’s Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards.

The Fellowship is the highest honor awarded by the BAFTA in recognition of an individual’s contribution to film, television or gaming throughout their career. Previous TV show honorees include Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Jon Snow, Bruce Forsyth, Joanna Lumley, Melvyn Bragg, Michael Palin, Trevor MacDonald, David Attenborough, Julie Walters, Ray Galton, Alan Simpson, Katie Adie and Joan Bakewell.

In 1995, Connolly won the BAFTA category in Entertainment Scotland for the “Billy Connolly World Tour of Scotland”. He has since received five BAFTA nominations, received a BAFTA Special Award in 2002 and Outstanding Contribution by BAFTA Scotland to Television and Film in 2012.

Connolly left school at the age of fifteen and began his career as a musician, also starting a popular duet with Jerry Rafferty called The Humblebums. His ability to tell stories led to an appearance on the BBC’s Michael Parkinson’s chat show in 1975, where an outrageous story propelled him to stardom. Television shows, documentaries, and Hollywood films followed, and his 1985 television special, An Audience with Billy Connolly, was a huge success. The double diagnosis of cancer and Parkinson’s disease led to the termination of his live shows. Since then he has continued to present on TV shows and write.

He was knighted in 2017 for services to entertainment and charities.

Connolly said, “I’m so proud. 50 movies and…I don’t remember how many TV shows—plus stand-up comedy—added something I’d be happy to come back to. A beautiful thing. I have absolutely no regrets. I had no idea about The fellowship exists, but I’m told it’s a big problem! It’s nice to be recognized and become a good companion.”

Emma Baher, Executive Director of Awards and Content at BAFTA, said: “He has made a remarkable contribution to our industry from his debut on Parkinson in 1975, to becoming a national treasure on stage and screen, beloved by fans around the world. BAFTA looks forward to celebrating this award with Sir Bailey at the right time and thanked him once again for his brilliant career in television.”

Connolly currently lives in the United States and cannot attend the ceremony on May 8 to receive his award in person. A recorded acceptance letter will be played during the ceremony.

This year’s BAFTA TV nominations are led by Channel 4 miniseries “It’s a Sin” and Sky Show “Landscapers”.



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