'A true hero'
Billy Connolly brings Red Nose Day viewers to tears with passionate speech as he reflects on his work for the charity
BILLY Connolly brought Red Nose Day viewers to tears on Friday night with a passionate speech about his work for Comic Relief.
The Scottish comic appeared in a video talking about his involvement with the annual fundraising event, which has spanned more than 30 years.
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But as he battles Parkinson's Disease and cancer - which he was diagnosed with in 2012 - the 74-year-old moved viewers to tears with his words.
He said: "Well I’m back at Comic Relief and what a journey it’s been.
"It started 30 years ago, a youngish man with a lush coloured beard and a very peculiar shirt."
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As he spoke, footage from his first appearance in 1986 appeared on screen, followed by his first visit to Africa in 1989.
"I seemed to remember I cracked a joke or two, then I went to Mozambique.
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"It was quite fun there too, but I saw some terrible things.
"I was glad to my bit just to pass on to the British public what it was actually like to visit places like that."
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Billy returned to the country a few years later and spoke about how good it was to see what "amazing things" had happened thanks to the British public's generosity.
He continued: "Then of course I made a bloody fool of myself running around Piccadilly Circus naked.
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"I think it made a million quid but who knows? Certainly frightened some poor pedestrians. Then back to Africa, the worst hospital I’ve ever seen. Tough things there."
Billy then brought things right up to date, and spoke about his current health as he appeared on another Red Nose Day broadcast.
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He said: "But I don’t know if I would ever have guessed this, the latest version of me on Red Nose Day.
"I’ve not been completely well, cancer and Parkinson's, so it’s time for me to bring it home."
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Billy then asked viewers to donate to "oldies" like him, citing the fact they can be unwell and "completely alone".
But despite his serious words, he couldn't help but make a joke towards the end of his speech, saying: "It’s an amazing thing Red Nose night, utter generosity changing the lives of millions of strangers and I thank you for it.
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"God bless, I’ll be back later as if you don’t give a million pounds I’m gonna take my clothes off again and you wouldn’t like that."
But turning serious again, he added: "And then who knows? Maybe back on the show, maybe not. But I’m very proud of the stuff we’ve done together, thank you."
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Viewers were in tears at his words, taking to Twitter to praise him, writing: "Billy Connolly @rednoseday best part of the night such a wonderful funny man."
Another added: "Watching Billy Connolly (my hero) has made me sadder than every other video tonight..." while a third said: "So sad to see the usually vibrant and full of life Billy Connolly look so fragile. Glad he still speaks out for #comicrelief".
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Another fan of the comic agreed, writing: "Billy Connolly is such a true hero. He has his own battles yet he is still fighting for eveyrone else. #truelove #comicrelief".
One fan said simply: "My love for Billy Connolly is infinite" and another added: "Billy Connolly a true asset to our nation".
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