Sir Billy Connolly, 80, makes ultra rare appearance as he unveils epic new artwork worth thousands

Sir Billy Connolly was knighted in 2017 for services to entertainment and charity and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013 (Picture: PA)

Sir Billy Connolly has swapped laughs for fine art and is selling four new pieces.

The beloved Scottish comedian – who was last seen in public last year -has been a keen artist since 2012 and this week unveiled four drawings through the gallery Castle Fine Art.

The pieces have been launched through his Born on a Rainy Day art series and are being sold for £1,250 each – but can be bought as a set for £4,500 framed or £3,300 unframed.

The pieces are named Pontius Tries Pilates, One Armed Juggler, Nightmare and Drunk Donkey.

Sir Billy, 80, quipped this week that he always wanted to give Pontius Pilate a ‘keep-fit name’, adding the idea came to him when his wife joined a pilates gym.

He explained: ‘I said it would be funny to call it Pontius Pilates, then I thought people would be offended by that, so I fiddled around and I got Pontius Tries Pilates.

Sir Billy’s swapped laughs for fine art and is selling four new pieces (Picture: PA) The beloved Scottish comedian, 80, has been a keen artist since 2012 and this week unveiled four drawings through the gallery Castle Fine Art (Picture: PA) The pieces have been launched through his Born on a Rainy Day art series and are being sold for £1,250 each – but can be bought as a set for £4,500 framed or £3,300 unframed (Picture: PA)

‘He’s just a guy trying at the gym, trying his best. I don’t understand the whole gymnasium culture, but he’s he does and he’s good.’

As for his One Armed Juggler drawing, Sir Billy said: ‘He’s an example of the fact that most of the figures in my work are doing things that don’t matter.

‘Just doing the things they do, thinking they’ll do you good – I’ve spent my life doing that. You see guys in their 60s out running in the evening and you think: ‘’Get a chair. Get a chair and a bottle of beer and switch on the telly; who are you kidding?’’.

The star has been open about life with Parkinson’s, revealing it affected his ability to perform like he used to (Picture: WireImage)

‘But all my guys are doing that, they’re trying to be part of it wherever “it” is.’

More: Trending

Sir Billy was knighted in 2017 for services to entertainment and charity and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013.

He retired from live performances five years later but has continued to record programmes and make TV appearances.

The star has been open about life with Parkinson’s, revealing it affected his ability to perform like he used to. 

Sir Billy told The Sun in 2021: ’Parkinson’s has taken a lot from me. I can’t play the banjo any more. It’s just a noise. I can’t yodel any more — I used to like yodelling. I can’t smoke cigars.

‘As it goes along it’s taken more and more of what I like. And it’s kinda painful. I have to behave in a certain way so my children don’t think I’m a dead loss. I want them to think: “He does well with what he’s got.”’

In October, he popped up in his hometown of Glasgow and made sure to pose for a photo with a fan, who shared the snap saying: ‘Serving a Glasgow Legend! Billy Connolly.’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Lizzo’s ex-dancers claim she ‘changed when the cameras stopped rolling’ and say they won’t back down

MORE : Made In Chelsea’s male throuple is about to make history in a big way