Comedy legend Billy Connolly turns 80 on Thursday, November 24 and fans have turned out in droves to wish the entertainment icon all the best for the milestone occasion.
During his impressive 80 years on Earth, Connolly has carved out a highly successful career as a comedian, actor, writer, artist, musician, and presenter.
Although Connolly has taken a step back from the limelight in recent years due to Parkinson’s disease, the beloved entertainer has proven he can still wow a crowd.
He most recently left fans starstruck during a rare public appearance at a Glasgow restaurant, during a surprise visit to his native Scotland he stopped in at Mediterraneo Ristorante and Champagne Bar on Tuesday, October 25, much to the delight of fellow diners.
Much like Connolly’s recent low-key visits to local Glasgow establishments, the now 80-year-old has decided to celebrate his birthday in much the same vein, revealing that the milestone occasion “means nothing” to him.
“I had a big do when I was 60. We had a ball – great friends, great music, dancing, getting drunk, smoking cigars and being stupid. And that’ll do me for partying,” he told The Oldie.
“I’ll go to other people’s parties, but to be 80 is very strange. When you’re 65 you get to retire. When you’re 21, you get the key to the door. When you’re 80, you get told to bugger off. What presents do you get an 80-year-old? A walking stick? A guide dog?
“So I haven’t arranged anything for my birthday, I’ll let it sneak up on me. And at 80, you forget it’s your birthday anyway.”
Although Connolly is not overly fussed by his birthday, his loyal fans certainly felt different, flooding social media with well wishes to The Big Yin.
Happy birthday Billy 60 Today myself Hey but your 80 start acting your age Welcome in Bonnybridge anytime for a beer or tea ????????☕
— alex monro (@amonro44) November 24, 2022
A very happy 80th birthday to the inimitable Billy Connolly, the former Humblebum who left countless audiences weeping with laughter before becoming a global superstar. He’s not doing stand up any more, but he was the greatest of his generation – and possibly the greatest ever! pic.twitter.com/6Iruaxka34
— Neil Drysdale (@NeilDrysdale) November 24, 2022
@Billy_Connolly Happy 80th Birthday to The Big Yin! Thank you good Sir, for all the laughs over the years. I loved very much also, to see you roaming the globe in your documentaries. Many Happy Returns of The Day. Wishing you were the one Highlander: Immortal!
????????????????????????????????????????????????️????♐️????— TigerGooseMerGoat ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? (@GooseyMer) November 24, 2022
@Billy_Connolly happy birthday for the 24th big yin, one of my heroes ????
— regi blinkers headband (@PFofBirdwell) November 23, 2022
@Billy_Connolly Hey, man! Have a fucking great birthday, Big Yin!!!! xxx pic.twitter.com/1jNh0iQK5y
— Annie ???????? ????????????????????????????+???????? #ScotlandRevolution (@annieinargyll) November 23, 2022
Happy 80th birthday to this absolute legend @Billy_Connolly #BillyConnolly ???? pic.twitter.com/zUmM61IOuG
— ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????? (@angdownunder08) November 23, 2022