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Sir Billy Connolly set to release first autobiography

Amy Johnson
·Contributor
·2-min read
Billy Connolly poses for photographers upon arrival at the National Television Awards in London, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Billy Connolly poses for photographers upon arrival at the National Television Awards in London, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)

Sir Billy Connolly is set to publish his first autobiography later this year.

The Scottish comic's new book, Windswept and Interesting, is due to be published on October 14 by John Murray Press.

The 78-year-old said: "It’s the first time I’ve done this. Other people have written about me, or for me, but this time it’s just my own life in my own words.

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“I didn’t know I was windswept and interesting until somebody told me. I had long hair and a beard and was swishing around in electric-blue flairs.

“He said ‘look at you, all windswept and interesting’. I just said ‘exactly’. After that, I simply had to maintain my reputation.”

Scottish comedian and folk singer Billy Connolly performing at the New Victoria Theatre (now the Apollo Victoria Theatre), London, 15th October 1975. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Scottish comedian and folk singer Billy Connolly performing at the New Victoria Theatre (now the Apollo Victoria Theatre), London, 15th October 1975. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)

Nick Davies, managing director of John Murray Press, said: “National treasure, welder statesman, living legend, there are few people who inspire such warmth and affection among audiences worldwide.”

He added: “It is a wise, heartfelt, opinionated and hugely funny book. And it has been one of the great pleasures of my career to work on it.”

While it is his first autobiography Connolly has penned books before including 2018's Made In Scotland: My Grand Adventures in a Wee Country, a reflection on his homeland.

Sir Billy Connolly poses with his wife Pamela Stephenson, after being knighted by the Duke of Cambridge during an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on October 31, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Stillwell - WPA Pool / Getty Images)
Sir Billy Connolly poses with his wife Pamela Stephenson, after being knighted by the Duke of Cambridge during an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on October 31, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Stillwell - WPA Pool / Getty Images)

Connolly retired from live stand-up comedy in 2018, five years after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

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He spoke about the decision to PA news agency back in December as he said: “It was obvious. I had done everything I wanted to do, and I’ve got this Parkinson’s and I don’t want to be on stage with Parkinson’s. And that’s the end of it.

“And it’s a natural end because I’m dead happy in my skin. I had a nice career, I did rather well, and I got knighted and that’s like the full stop.”

Last month, his wife Pamela Stephenson revealed he had received his first coronavirus jab.

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