Billy Connolly: It’s Been A Pleasure has fans in tears as comedian gives his emotional ‘final performance’

Sir Billy Connolly made his final performance on It’s Been A Pleasure (Picture: ITV)

Billy Connolly: It’s Been A Pleasure had fans in tears on Monday evening, as the legendary comedian gave his ‘final performance’.

The 78-year-old retired from stand up in 2018 following his 2013 Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis, bringing to a close a career that spanned six decades.

Sir Billy spoke about his experience with the disease and looked back at his incredible career on the ITV show, joined by a host of celebrity fans.

Sir Paul McCartney, Dustin Hoffman, Whoopi Goldberg, Sheridan Smith, Sir Elton John and Sir Lenny Henry were among the stars to pay tributes to the stand-up.

The most emotional moment on the show came when Sir Billy opened up about his Parkinson’s diagnosis.

Sir Billy said: ‘It was obvious from my movement, that I wasn’t who I used to be. And so I had to explain it.. just to say that I am not defined by it.’

He added: ‘It’s got me and it will get me and it will end me but that’s OK with me.’

Sir Elton and Sheridan sobbed as they opened up about their love for the national treasure.

Welling up, Sheridan – who welcomed her son Billy in May this year – cried: ‘I named my son after Billy, did you know that? I’m going to cry.’

Billy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2013 (Picture: Getty)

And watching Sheridan’s tribute, a clearly moved Sir Billy beamed and muttered: ‘Oh, that’s great.’

Viewers on Twitter were also in tears as they shared their thoughts on social media.

I know it’s bitter sweet, but there’s no comedian who can reduce me to tears quite like Billy Connolly, the finest stand up comedian this country has ever produced

— dean Wallman (@dwallm) December 28, 2020

Watching Billy Connolly with tears of laughter and sadness. My absolute hero, such an amazing man.

— LisaLou (@dirtydancer72) December 28, 2020

No matter how many times I watch these sketches, they still make me cry with laughter 😂😂 #BillyConnolly

— Max Pollard (@MaxPollard92) December 28, 2020

#billyconnolly I’m excited but sad in equal measures. Absolutely love him, side splitting and one hell of a story teller. â¤ðŸ¤£

— Nicola Davis (@nikkidavis1981) December 28, 2020

God I love Billy Connolly. No one has made me cry with laughter like him.

— bethan browne (@farnham73) December 28, 2020

It is to my endless disappointment that I never saw #billyconnolly live on stage. One thing I’ll never get to tick off my bucket list. But thank you @Billy_Connolly for making me cry laughing every time I watch you. ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘

— JohnGP (@johngpuk) December 28, 2020

@Billy_Connolly in tears!! You are amazing xxxx

— Sophie birchall (@sophiejobirch82) December 28, 2020

‘Watching Billy Connolly with tears of laughter and sadness. My absolute hero, such an amazing man,’ one fan wrote.

More: Billy Connolly

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Another said: ‘I know it’s bitter sweet, but there’s no comedian who can reduce me to tears quite like Billy Connolly.’

Billy Connolly: It’s Been A Pleasure is available to watch on ITV Player.

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MORE : Sir Billy Connolly takes dog for a walk as he prepares to mark end of stand-up career with ITV special

MORE : Russell Brand’s moving tribute to Billy Connolly interrupted by dog licking ‘sexual organs’

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