Fans overjoyed by rare public appearance of comedy legend Billy Connolly

Comedy legend Billy Connolly has delighted fans yet again with a surprise public appearance.

The Big Yin, as he is affectionately known, joined fellow comedian Kevin Nealon for a friendly get-together in the US. Nealon shared images from their time together on Instagram, expressing his admiration for Connolly.

“My friend, the legendary BIlly Connolly,” he wrote alongside the images.

“What a treasure this man is. So insightful and absolutely hilarious! I could hang out with Billy everyday here in Key West. If you don’t know him, you must google him. Thank you, Scotland!”

 

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A post shared by Kevin Nealon (@kevinnealon)

Connolly’s rare appearance sparked a wave of appreciation for the beloved comedian, with fans near and far sharing their fondness for the 82-year-old legend.

“Oh how we love BILLY!!” one wrote.

“God he’s just divine. The best human.”

“The best of the best. I’ve seen him a number of times. And, the last time I was laughing so hard I was actually rolling in the aisles. As I had an aisle seat. That’s how great his comedy is,” commented another.

“One of my all time favs!!!!”

“The GoAT Billy one of the greatest comedians.”

Public appearances by Connolly have been few and far between given the comedian’s battle with Parkinson’s disease.

He first publicly shared his diagnosis in 2013. Since then, he has been open about his challenges living with the disease, which affects his ability to control movement.

Despite the challenges his condition presents, he recently revealed that he has made peace with his diagnosis while reflecting on his life and career.

In the BBC documentary, Billy Connolly: In My Own Words, the beloved comedian reflected on his journey and how he has learnt to embrace his condition. He candidly shared that he no longer fears the prospect of death, having found peace with his diagnosis and the inevitable realities that come with it.

“With something as big as that you just confront it and stick to the front of it. Be with it and make decisions based on it,” he said in the documentary, as per The Scottish Sun.

“And don’t think you have been badly treated and think you have got the bad pick of the straws. It’s not like that, you’re one of millions, just behave yourself, relax.

“You realise that death isn’t the big thing that everybody has made it out to be. It’s nothing, it’s a sudden nothing.”