Billy Connolly fans were delighted when their idol took time out to chat to them during his visit to the city.

By Marianne Craig marianne@derrynews.net

The Derry rumour mill went into overdrive during the Big Yin’s long awaited four night stay, with reported sightings everywhere from The Walls to Sainsburys.

But those who waited behind after his sell out gigs in the Millennium Forum were rewarded with an audience with Britain’s most popular comic.

Alanna Wilson and her friends met Billy on Sunday night and he was happy to chat and pose for photos.

He also took the chance to plug his wife Dr Pamela Stephenson-Connolly’s new book.

“I told him I really enjoyed his biography ‘Billy’ by his wife and he told me I should read her new one ‘Head Case’ so I’ll have to go out and buy it now,” said Alanna.

Billy wowed fans with his ‘Two Old to Die Young’ show that ran for over two hours without an interval.

He brought many of the audience to tears with his barbs about Iris Robinson, priests, drunks acting sober and the peculiarities of the Irish who he described as ‘mad, but in a good way.’

Billy also reminisced about his last visit to Derry over a decade ago when he performed in the Rialto theatre, but admitted the only thing he could remember was the bridge.

Although he confessed he still can’t differentiate between here and Belfast, telling the audience: ‘It’s all the same to me’.

He did however thank the crowd for his welcome into the city, and joked the Scottish flags and the Union Jacks were ‘obviously’ put up in his honour.

The opening night show almost came to a dramatic halt after a member of the audience started to choke causing Billy to stop mid-flow.

Thankfully, he recovered in time to enjoy the rest of the routine, but not before Billy had a few words with him.