Legendary Scots comic Billy Connolly is to be given a Special Recognition Award at the National Television Awards.

The Big Yin will receive the accolade later this month at the 21st NTAs at London's O2.

Connolly's long-term friend Dustin Hoffman will present the award, which honours the comedian's 50 year career.

Armando Iannucci, creator of The Thick of It and Veep, said: "It’s unbelievable and yet no surprise that we’re celebrating fifty years of Billy Connolly. Because he doesn’t compromise, because he doesn’t fit a label, he has no shelf life, he’s not part of a phase. He’s unique.  You can’t really sum him up. The only way you can explain him to someone is by saying, “just try and imagine Billy Connolly."
 
The National Television Awards will take place on Wednesday, January 20 and will be shown on ITV from 7.30pm.