Friday 5 April 2019

BILLY CONNOLLY LOOKING FIT IN HONG KONG BEFORE JETSETTING TO NEW YORK TARTAN WEEK




Beverley Lyons 

Sir Billy Connolly met up with Scottish former rugby union player Doddie Weir in Hong Kong ahead of his appearance at New York’s tartan day celebrations this weekend.
And Sir Billy was looking dapper as he chatted with MND sufferer Doddie at the fundraising dinner in Hong Kong’s Grand Hyatt hotel.
Players past and present joined the Big Yin and Humungous one as revellers endearingly referred to them.
Amongst those promoted to attend the bash were Scott Hastings, Andy Goode, Brian O Driscoll and Gregor Townsend.
In a photo posted on Twitter,  Sir Billy looked dapper in his black tux and chose to go tieless with his white shirt for the occasion while Doddie opted for his now famous tartan suit. 
One of the dinner guests commented: “Billy was in great spirits and very happy to be there. He and Doddie has a great chat and Billy entertained guests with his answers during the Q and A session.”
Scottish artist Gerard Burns had painted a portrait of Doddie in the suit which raised almost £100,000 at the event.

The dinner, attended by around 500 guests, was organised by the Scottish business community based in Hong Kong as a precursor to the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens on April 5-7. More than £300,000 was raised in total by the event.
The new pictures will come as a surprise to many fans who thought that Billy’s health was ailing. 

The 76 year old was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2012 and has been pictured looking frailer and more subdued than the larger than life character we have come to expect. 

Billy who also had to have his prostate removed following a cancer diagnosis several years ago and has joked in the past about his shaky hand, over which he has little control, admitted in a BBC documentary in January that his diagnosis with the degenerative brain condition meant he was now "at the wrong end of the telescope of life". 

Billy said at the time: "My life is slipping away and I can feel it and I should. I'm 75 and I'm a damn sight nearer the end than I am the beginning. 

"But it doesn't frighten me - it's an adventure and it's quite interesting to see myself slipping away, as bits slip off and leave me, talents leave and attributes leave.

"It's as if I'm being prepared for something, some other adventure, which is over the hill. I've got all this stuff to lose first, and then I'll be at the shadowy side of the hill doing the next episode in the spirit world."

Sir Michael Parkinson also said in 2018 that Billy had trouble recognising him, a claim that Sir Billy has since dismissed. 

Sir Michael, 83,  said at the time: “His wonderful brain has dulled. I saw him recently – he's now living in America – and it was very sad, because I was presenting him with a prize at an award ceremony [...] We had an awkward dinner together, because I wasn't quite sure if he knew who I was or not."

It certainly seems that Billy is not ready to give into the debilitating illness - as he jetsets round the world for a busy year of public engagements.

From Scotland with Love Theshowbizlion.com

GLAGOW RESTAURANT TRIBECA FEATURES IN NEW TV SHOW




Beverley Lyons
GLASGOW restaurant business TriBeCa can’t wait to be featured in a new BBC Scotland drama set in the city’s Bell street and Albion Street.
The American diner and neighbouring buildings will be filmed as part of new BBC Scotland show Guilt which will be filming in the Merchant City on April 12, 15, and 16.
The contemporary drama is being filmed by Expectation Entertainment and Happy Tramp North and broadcast on the new digital channel.
Production bosses have told TriBeCa and other businesses that their street will form part of the aftermath of a fire scene.
As well as mock fire engines and a squad of fake firemen the street will be made to look like it has endured the spray of hoses.
TriBeCa manager Colin Drummond said: “It’s pretty exciting. We got notification about the filming today and we can’t wait to welcome BBC Scotland to the Merchant City. Our staff will all be making sure we look our best for the occasion. We recently relaunched our menu so this gives us an excellent opportunity to showcase the unique and vibrant atmosphere of Glasgow’s entertainment district to the world.  We hope that viewers enjoy the drama ‘Guilt’ and that, after seeing us on telly will visit the entertainment hotspot of Scotland.”
A spokesperson from the production company said: “We have sought and been granted permission by Glasgow City Council to implement a road closure for the duration of these scenes. This particular scene will look like the aftermath of a fire. There will be two fire engines parked on the road and extras dressed as firemen. There will also be a wetting down of the pavement and road.”
Any parked cars will be cleared from the area ahead of filming.
Road closures on Bell Street and Albion Street are expected between 2pm until 8pm on April 16.









From Scotland with Love Theshowbizlion.com