IT was the day the Big Yin was honoured by his native Glasgow – with a massive steel sculpture close to the home where he grew up.
Artist Andy Scott was commissioned to produce the work to mark the end of phase one of Sanctuary Scotland's £50 million regeneration of Anderston. He used around 1.5 miles of steel rods to create the 20ft by 16ft image of the comedian.
The work, which was unveiled on November 22, 2011, is visible from the Clydeside Expressway and the heavily-used Kingston Bridge.
Speaking shortly before his 69th birthday, Connolly said: "I am happy and humbled that Sanctuary Scotland commissioned a mural of me to be erected in my home city. It is an unexpected honour for which I am extremely grateful."
He added: "I consider myself a citizen of the world, but I was born and raised in Glasgow. It is where my first children were born, where I learnt to play the banjo, where I served my apprenticeship as a welder, and where I first performed in public. My heart beats to the rhythm of Glasgow - it is in my blood”.
Mr Scott said: "We are delighted Billy likes the mural as it has been a long and challenging commission."
His early sketches were hand-drawn in pencil on a giant timber wall in his workshop before being replicated on the gable end in Anderston.
Billy was unable to attend the formal unveiling by Glasgow Lord Provost Bob Winter, but was invited to view the new mural when he had a gap in his busy schedule.
Mr Winter said: “This iconic mural, looking out across the shipyards where Billy worked, is a fitting tribute to one of the world's most recognised living Glaswegians."
Sanctuary Scotland director Gordon Laurie said: "We hope the artwork brings attention to Anderston's regeneration."
Three years later, however, Billy admitted to being slightly embarrassed by his hero status in his home city.
In March 2014 he told an interviewer on a US radio show: "In Glasgow they have a statue of me, it's made of metal and it's on a wall. It's down where I was born on the side of a building, it's about 20ft high and it's me with my banjo and my hair flying.
"I should be pleased. I should pass it and genuflect but I don't, I kind of try to avoid it. I find it slightly embarrassing."
He added: "My sister loves it, she drives past it and drives her friends past it and says ‘Look, there he is, that's my wee brother'.
"It's kind of weird, you know, but it's very pleasant. I never thought I would influence people. I'm the least ambitious guy I know".
Andy Scott’s many later sculptures include The Kelpies, the world’s largest equine sculptures, at the Forth and Clyde canal in Falkirk.
In an interview with The Times in 2021, he said he would like to do a sculpture of Billy Connolly. He said Billy “has been an informal ambassador for Glasgow and Scotland for decades and has to be one of the funniest comedians ever, as well as a great actor and all-round entertainer”.
Sir Billy Connolly CBE turns 81 on Friday, November 24.
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