Viewing old television clips, Billy Connolly reflects on his past experiences during the programme In My Own Words (BBC One, Monday). He shares how nostalgic it is to count all the people he shared moments onscreen with, now no longer with us – such people include Michael Parkinson, Dennis Waterman, and Eamonn Andrews, once very well-known names.
Connolly also fondly remembers his friendship with the late Robin Williams. He became tearful when reminiscing about a phone call from Williams just several days before his tragic suicide in 2014. “He invited me to have dinner, and he told me he loved me. I was taken aback, replied it was fantastic, only to realise he was gone by that weekend,” says Connolly.
Older Irish viewers will surely remember Connolly’s regular visits on The Late Late Show, where he could make Gay Byrne dissolve into fits of laughter. His life’s journey is captured in this moving survey, alongside an iconic 1975 moment with British talk show presenter Parkinson. Connolly acknowledges that his appearance on the show was a crucial turning point for him outside Scotland, saying “That moment was pivotal. Seeing him crack up like that, it was career-defining.”
In the 70s and 80s, he was known for his expletive-laden performances. But reflecting back today, it’s the bizarre side of his humour that stands out. For instance, his infamous bike stand joke, shared on Parkinson, seems to be an adult version of a Flann O’Brien sketch.
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Currently dwelling in Key West, Florida with his spouse, Pamela Stephenson, is the 81-year-old Connolly. His present surroundings are a stark contrast to the Glasgow tenements where he spent his childhood years. Key West, he expresses, provides an easy-going lifestyle – nobody fusses over your wealth or lack thereof; there exists a congenial harmony amongst the populace.
While some painful memories from his past linger, Connolly does possess a propensity for forgiving those who have wronged him. For instance, he reassesses his initial feelings towards his childhood raised by an abusive aunt; years ago, in an interview with Melvyn Bragg, he claimed he would have preferred a children’s home. Now, after hearing the account of someone who grew up in such a home, he acknowledges his fortunate circumstance. Nevertheless, he clearly remembers the cruelties he experienced as a youth and his yearning to mature quickly.
Adulthood, however, presented its own set of challenges. His increasing fame led to the collapse of his first-marriage, while his excessive drinking almost caused a rift in his current relationship. Reflecting on his decision to quit alcohol, he realises the ‘wildness’ he feared losing was merely a facade. Despite everything, he remains unapologetic.
Evident in his jovial spirit, age has not dulled Connolly’s sparkle. Overcoming hurdles such as his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2013 and retiring from performance six years ago, he retains his youthful enthusiasm. He doesn’t indulge in nostalgia, his interest in the past is casual. His captivating life and vibrant spirit find an engaging showcase in a documentary that celebrates his journey and offers a compelling look at the elderly artist who continues to tackle the world head-on with lively vigour.