Billy Connolly to receive BAFTA Fellowship prize at 2022 TV ceremony: ‘I’m deeply honoured’

Virgin Radio

3 May 2022, 08:21

Iconic comedian Billy Connolly will be honoured with the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship during this year’s BAFTA TV Awards. 

The fellowship is the highest accolade BAFTA hands out, and goes to those with an ‘outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, television or games across their career.’

Previous fellowship recipients include Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, Jon Snow and Sir Bruce Forsyth, to name only a few.

It’s not the first BAFTA Billy has picked up in his incredible 40-year career. He first picked up a trophy in 1995 when he won the BAFTA Scotland Entertainment category for Billy Connolly’s World Tour of Scotland. 

He’s gone on to receive five BAFTA nominations, and was presented with a BAFTA Special Award in 2002, along with the BAFTA Scotland Outstanding Contribution to Television and Film in 2012.

In a statement, Billy said: “I am deeply honoured. Fifty films and… I can’t remember how many TV shows - as well as my stage comedy - added up to something that’s a joy to look back on. 

“A lovely thing. I have no regrets at all. I had no idea the Fellowship existed, but I’m told it’s a big deal! (Laughs). It’s lovely to be recognised and to become a jolly good fellow.” 

Billy currently lives in the US, and won’t be attending the ceremony when it takes place on Sunday 8th May, but a recorded message will be played during the star-studded event. 

Emma Baehr, Executive Director of Awards and Content, added: “We’re honoured to be awarding Sir Billy Connolly with the 2022 BAFTA Fellowship Award. He has made a remarkable contribution to our industry from his first appearance on Parkinson in 1975, through to becoming a national treasure on stage and screen, adored by fans around the world. 

“BAFTA is looking forward to celebrating this award with Sir Billy in due course and thanking him again for his phenomenal career in television.”

It’s a Sin will be the show to watch at the BAFTA TV Awards this weekend. The hit Channel 4 show picked up 12 nominations across 10 different categories, including Leading Actor and Best Mini-Series. 

The late comedian Sean Lock also received a nomination in the Entertainment Performance category for 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

The second-most-nominated TV show, Landscapers, received seven nods overall, five in the craft categories and two in the television categories.

We Are Lady Parts, Help and Time received six nominations across the board, and Netflix’s hit show Sex Education also received five nods.

The Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards ceremony, hosted by Richard Ayoade, will take place on Sunday 8 May, hosted by Richard Ayoade and broadcast at 6pm on BBC One.