This large portrait depicts – though not necessarily resembles – Scottish comedian and actor Billy Connolly. Born in Glasgow, Connolly served an apprenticeship as a welder in the Clyde shipyards before embarking on a career in show business. He initially focussed on being a folk singer but gradually made the transition to stand-up comedy. His break-through came when he told his famous bike joke on BBC’s Parkinson talk show in 1975. He has since performed for sell-out audiences the world over, produced three ‘World Tour’ series for the BBC and has acted in films including ‘Mrs Brown’ (1995), opposite Dame Judi Dench as Queen Victoria. His Scottish nickname ‘The Big Yin’ (The Big One) is a reference to his 1.83m (6 foot) height.