Big Yin heads to Buckingham Palace today

Billy Connolly is to receive his knighthood today, just a few weeks before turning 75.

He was recognised for services to entertainment and charity in the Queen's birthday honours list in June.

At the time he said he still thought of himself as a ‘hairy rebel’  and told the BBC: 'It always feels strange to be welcomed into the establishment. It is not a place I relish. But… it’s an honour and I'll accept it honourably.’

And he insisted it wouldn’t change him - but ‘it may change the way other people think of me’.

His appointment at Buckingham Palace today is Connolly’s second big event in London this week.

Yesterday, he was at a Downing Street reception hosted by Theresa May marking 200 years since Dr James Parkinson recognised the ‘shaking palsy’ that now bears his name.

In 2013, the comic announced he was being treated for the initial symptoms of Parkinson's disease, admitting he had started to forget his lines during his stand-up shows.

He turns 75 on November 24.

Published: 31 Oct 2017