Billy Connolly to receive BAFTA Fellowship Award
- Billy Connolly will accept a prestigious BAFTA Fellowship award on 8th May
- Connolly jokes: "I had no idea the Fellowship existed, but I'm told it's a big deal!"
- BAFTA says: "He has made a remarkable contribution to our industry"
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Billy Connolly will be honoured with the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship at this year's BAFTA TV Awards.
The organisation confirms: " BAFTA has announced today that award-winning and iconic comedian, actor, artist, writer, musician and presenter, Sir Billy Connolly, will be honoured with the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship at this year's Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards.
"The multi-award winning actor receives BAFTA's highest honour and in doing so secures BAFTA recognition for the third successive decade.
"The Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA in recognition of an individual's outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, television or games across their career. Fellows previously honoured for their work in television include Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, Jon Snow, Sir Bruce Forsyth, Joanna Lumley, Melvyn Bragg, Michael Palin, Sir Trevor McDonald, Sir David Attenborough, Dame Julie Walters, Ray Galton, Alan Simpson, Kate Adie and Joan Bakewell.
"Sir Billy Connolly's first BAFTA recognition was in 1995 when he won the BAFTA Scotland Entertainment category for Billy Connolly's World Tour Of Scotland. He has since received five BAFTA nominations, and has been presented with a BAFTA Special Award in 2002 and the BAFTA Scotland Outstanding Contribution to Television and Film in 2012."
Sir Billy Connolly says: "I am deeply honoured. Fifty films and... I can't remember how many TV shows - as well as my stage comedy - added up to something that's a joy to look back on. A lovely thing. I have no regrets at all. I had no idea the Fellowship existed, but I'm told it's a big deal! (Laughs). It's lovely to be recognised and to become a jolly good fellow."
Emma Baehr from BAFTA adds: "We're honoured to be awarding Sir Billy Connolly with the 2022 BAFTA Fellowship Award. He has made a remarkable contribution to our industry from his first appearance on Parkinson in 1975, through to becoming a national treasure on stage and screen, adored by fans around the world. BAFTA is looking forward to celebrating this award with Sir Billy in due course and thanking him again for his phenomenal career in television."
Connolly currently resides in the USA and is unable to attend the ceremony on 8th May to receive his award in person. A recorded acceptance message is to be played during the ceremony.