Doors 6.30pm

Show Starts 7.00pm

Comedy lookalike Stewart Nicol is taking his show “LOOK WHO IT ISNAE!”

to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time at the age of 73!

Stewart has impersonated Sir Billy Connolly since 1999 and from beginnings as a straight lookalike he has morphed from a previous existence as a musician into an experienced stand-up comedian.

His long-suffering wife Marian says, “Stewart has waited for years to be “discovered” and have a manager take over, wave a magic wand and get him into theatres and the like. Earlier this year I told him that’s never going to happen, so he grasped the nettle, re-wrote his show, found a venue and registered with Edinburgh Fringe”.

The show is an hour long and features stories, some are Stewart’s and some Sir Billy’s, and jokes from before PC took over. Billy Connolly’s greatest hits are also here – “D.I.V.O.R.C.E.” and “If It Wisnae For Yer Wellies” – both appear with live accompaniment on Banjo (which has been both played and autographed by the Big Yin!)

The show runs from 4^th August to 24^th at Ghillie Dhu, 2 Rutland Place Edinburgh EH1 2AD

The SHOW

Stewart created the show over years of transitioning from musician/lookalike to comedy tribute act.

He says “When I first did a 10 min spot in a comedy club it was the best laxative known to man, but I got through it. Women in audiences love the old-school humour with the “filthy” material getting the best laughs! If you are easily offended, you really should come along. It will give you years of material to moan to your friends about!”

Billy Connolly has retired from live comedy at age 83 and Stewart thinks he has maybe another two or three years performing before hanging up the mic.

HISTORY:

Stewart Nicol began life in entertainment as a drummer, first playing in public aged 12 with his father’s band, a traditional Scottish dance quartet which also played jazz and standards. “My first gig was at a school Christmas disco. We were hired to play the Eightsome Reels, the Gay Gordons and the like while I was dying to play along with the disco on “Merry Christmas Everybody” etc.”

12 years with a rock covers band – Perfect Strangers – touring the UK and Europe, 5 years with the house band in a South Coast holiday centre then 3 years on keyboard/vocals and Stewart was ready for a change of direction. When someone said, “You should go on “Stars In Their Eyes” as Billy Connolly!” he called an agent and they had a request that week for a Big Yin lookalike that week.

The Charity CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland) stand to benefit from “LOOK WHO IT ISNAE!”. They provide care to children who may die young and their families. Stewart can’t imagine having to bear that burden and, after being their guest “Auctioneer” at a Scone Golf Club fundraiser he has made CHAS his No.1 charity.

REVIEWS:

La Villette Hotel & Spa, St Martin, Guernsey – 14th June 2025 

Stewart flew to Guernsey and his show in La Villette was absolutely special. He was on stage for over the hour just having fun talking to the audience. The party from Aberdeen, who were in Guernsey on holiday had a particularly fun evening as they were the butt of many of the stories.

Reviewed by: Sally Chaddock (Venue Manager)

The Jolly Harvester, Dumfries – 23rd May 2025

Stewart/Billy had the audience in fits of laughter all night. His stories about being a lookalike were brilliant. A great show which will be talked about for weeks!

Reviewed by: Vicky (Booker)