TLDR: Legendary comedian Sir Billy Connolly has alerted his fans to a surge in online scams utilizing artificial intelligence to impersonate him and his wife, Pamela Stephenson. Scammers are creating fake social media accounts and using AI to clone his voice and likeness to extort money and personal information from unsuspecting supporters.
Veteran Scottish comedian and actor, Sir Billy Connolly, affectionately known as ‘The Big Yin,’ has issued a critical warning to his global fanbase regarding sophisticated online scams. These fraudulent schemes leverage artificial intelligence to impersonate both him and his wife, Pamela Stephenson, with the intent of extorting money and personal details from his loyal followers.
In a direct message posted on his official website, billyconnolly.com, the 82-year-old icon stated, ‘Dear friends, I have learned that, unfortunately, online scam artists are targeting my fans and supporters. They are impersonating me, often reaching out to fans soliciting direct messaging.’ He further clarified the deceptive tactics employed by these criminals: ‘They create multiple deceptive social media and email accounts, and there could well be criminal intent.’
Sir Billy emphasized that his only official social media presence is his Facebook page, ‘Billy Connolly.’ He explicitly warned, ‘I do not have an Instagram, X, Snapchat, Telegram or any other social media account. My only website is billyconnolly.com.’ He stressed that he never interacts directly with fans or supporters online, nor would he ever suggest direct messaging, meeting in person, sending money, or purchasing goods directly. ‘I do not sell memberships, fan cards, meetings. I will never suggest meeting personally or ask for personal information. If you are asked for any of the above, it is a scam,’ he asserted.
A significant aspect of these scams involves the use of advanced AI technology. Sir Billy specifically cautioned, ‘My likeness and the sound of my voice can be created by AI… so beware!’ Criminals are now capable of replicating a person’s voice from mere seconds of audio, easily obtained from online videos or social media posts. This voice cloning technology, combined with deepfake images, allows scammers to create highly convincing impersonations of public figures. Data from the Advertising Standards Authority in 2024 revealed that fake adverts featuring celebrities were the most frequently reported scam advertisements.
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The warning also highlighted that his wife, Pamela Stephenson, has been targeted, and Sir Billy confirmed that neither she nor any of his children maintain public social media accounts. Sir Billy Connolly, who was knighted in 2017 for his immense contributions to entertainment and charity, announced his retirement from live performances in 2018 following his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease in 2013. Despite his retirement from live shows, he continues to record programs and make television appearances, making his public profile a target for these malicious AI-driven schemes.
