His startling, hairy 'glam-rock' stage appearance - wearing leotards, scissor suits and banana boots - only added to his appeal.

And the Parachute Regiment and working as a welder in the shipyards - after school, the church and family had all failed him - made him feel “like I belonged in the world, that I was no longer prey … I felt like a successful human, a man”. Nevertheless, I found the book interesting and, having not particularly considered Billy's work prior to this, I am now a huge fan!The Parkinson’s disease he contracted in 2013 restricts his banjo-playing but not his shouting at the TV.

In an exciting new development, Sir Billy Connolly's witty and wise art has been collected in a deluxe coffee table book, Born on a Rainy Day, which comes with a hand-signed, limited edition giclée self-portrait. She has done a great job on this book and I have no doubt that Billy is immensely proud of the end product even though it must have been challenging due to the very personal nature of his childhood. It isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea, especially if you don't relate to Billy but it is worth a read and you will laugh.Not a bad bio, not much in the laughs department, considering the subject, but some interesting facts that I didn't know from all the interviews etc. There is a water stain to the top corner on the reverse side of the dustwrapper and a corresponding stain to the boards (not affecting the content). Some stories I already felt connected to as I remembered watching him do it on various shows and others were a fresh revelation, but both were equally captivating.