'The winner will have to be a nutter like me'

Billy Connolly is lending his name to a new award being given out at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival.

The Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award will go to the show, person or group that best represents the city’s attitude and will be the only accolade handed out at the event.

He said: ‘Glasgow defies description. Many great men and women have tried to describe its spirit and failed miserably. What do you say about a town that dances, sings, plays and jokes differently from everybody else? The winner of this award will have to be a nutter like me…’

The festival runs from March 15 to April 2, and the new award will be given out at the closing gala on the last night.

Festival director Krista MacDonald said: ‘We are very proud to have Sir Billy Connolly’s support in celebrating the spirit of the city shown through the immense comedy talent on display during our three weeks in March. No one more personifies both that spirit and that talent than Sir Billy.’

The festival is a collaboration between MacDonald, Stand owners Salt N Sauce and the festivals arm of Edinburgh’s Gilded Balloon, whose aristic director Karen Koren came up with the idea for the award.

She said: ‘We hope the award will add to the celebration and really shine a light on some of the incredible hard work by acts and individuals within the comedy industry.’

The award will be open to any individual, group, show or venue involved in the comedy festival, not just those from Glasgow. 

Bailie Annette Christie, chair of the cultural charity Glasgow Life, said: ‘Glasgow and its people are renowned for their great sense of humour, love of comedy and indefatigable spirit, and I can’t think of anyone who represents that life-affirming combination of characteristics more than Sir Billy Connolly. 

‘That this exciting new award - to recognise outstanding talent at Glasgow International Comedy Festival - is named after and honours the city’s beloved comedy genius, who has put Glasgow firmly on the worldwide comedy stage, gives it even greater importance.’

Registration for shows wanting to take part in next year’s festival closes on Friday November and tickets for the closing gala go on sale next Wednesday. More information at the festival website.

Published: 17 Nov 2022