An audience with Billy Connolly...

If there's one audience no comedian would want to die in front of, it would be Billy Connolly.

But the Big Yin turned up at the Comedy Store on Saturday night, to see what competition he faces from the new generation of comics.

The stand-up icon arrived for the second half of the early show, catching sets by Adam Hills, Micky Flanagan and Mandy Muden (all piictured), as well as Sean Meo's compering.

Connolly hung around backstage for around an hour, chatting to the acts - and was impressed to discover the comics performed two sets a night at the London Store, often popping out for a third between shows.

The impromptu visit had special significance for Perrier nominee Hills - he was inspired to become a stand-up because of Connolly.

Published: 5 Feb 2003