Billy Connolly, by Pamela Stephenson. I have always been a fan of Scottish comedian Billy Connolly (it's compulsory when you're married to a Scottish lass). This fascinating and moving biography is written by his wife, who (according to Billy) as a practising psychologist, regards Billy as "work in progress".

The text takes the reader behind the scenes of Billy's life in a moving, yet straightforward way. His childhood was full of abuse and was followed by a hard time in the Glasgow shipyards. All of this served to prepare him for his comedy.

This is not your usual biography (I find so many of them are vehicles to get publicity for the person written about) - it is as rugged and individual as his comedy.

According to Pamela, Billy is one of the last non-family people President Ronald Reagan recognised at one of his last public appearances. That probably says something profound, but I can't decide what.