Sir Billy Connolly, the beloved Scottish comedian and actor, has issued a critical warning to fans about scammers exploiting artificial intelligence (AI) to impersonate him online. Known affectionately as The Big Yin, the 82-year-old revealed that fraudsters are not only targeting him but also his wife, Pamela Stephenson, using advanced AI technologies like voice cloning and deepfake imagery to deceive fans.
This alarming trend highlights the growing sophistication of cybercrime, with Sir Billy Connolly urging supporters to stay vigilant.
Sir Billy Connolly has warned fans that scammers are using artificial intelligence to impersonate him online.
🔗 Read more
read— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 18, 2025
In a heartfelt message posted on his official website, Sir Billy Connolly detailed how scammers create fake social media and email accounts, often reaching out to fans with offers of direct messaging, merchandise, or personal meetings. “Dear friends, I have learned that, unfortunately, online scam artists are targeting my fans and supporters,” he wrote, emphasizing that these fraudulent accounts may have criminal intent.
He clarified that his only legitimate online presence is his official Facebook page and his website, billyconnolly.com, and explicitly stated, “I do not have an Instagram, X, Snapchat, Telegram, or any other social media account.”
DEEPFAKE SCAMS JUST GOT OWNED
Scammers can now fake your mom’s face, voice, and even cry for help—all thanks to AI.
So yeah, that “FaceTime from Grandma” might actually be a dude in a hoodie with Wi-Fi.
Cyber expert Cody Barrow says the easiest way to dodge these AI creeps?… read pic.twitter.com/w7h7fCyjWH
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 26, 2025
The comedian, knighted in 2017 for his contributions to entertainment and charity, stressed that neither he nor his family, including Pamela Stephenson or their children, engage directly with fans or solicit personal information, money, or purchases. “I never interact directly with fans or supporters, and would never suggest they direct message me, meet me, send me money, or purchase goods directly,” Sir Billy Connolly cautioned, adding that his likeness and voice can be replicated by AI, making scams more convincing.
This warning comes in the wake of similar scams targeting other public figures, such as a case where a French woman lost nearly £700,000 to fraudsters impersonating Brad Pitt using AI-generated content.
You May Also Like:
AI-Created Books Spark Alarming Warning from Publishers Over Sports Autobiography Imitations
Claude’s New AI Feature Could Help You Shop Smarter—And It’s Already Taking Jobs
The use of AI in these scams leverages voice cloning technology, which can replicate a person’s voice from just a few seconds of audio, often sourced from online videos or social media. Deepfake images, another tool in the scammers’ arsenal, were the most reported scam adverts in 2024, according to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
This growing issue has also affected other celebrities, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and personalities like Stacey Solomon and Anton Du Beke, highlighting a broader trend in AI-driven fraud.
Sir Billy Connolly, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013 and retired from live stand-up performances in 2018, remains active in television, with recent projects like Billy Connolly: Made In Scotland (2018), Billy Connolly’s Great American Trail (2019), and Billy Connolly Does… (2022). Despite his health challenges, he continues to engage his audience with his characteristic warmth, concluding his warning with, “Please be safe everyone! Love and cuddles, Billy.
”His message underscores the importance of fan awareness in an era where AI technology can create highly convincing fakes, urging supporters to verify any suspicious outreach.
This development reflects a broader concern about the misuse of AI in cybercrime, with experts noting that such scams are becoming increasingly difficult to detect.
For fans of Sir Billy Connolly, the advice is clear: stick to his verified channels and report any dubious accounts claiming to represent him or his family.
Disclaimer: This report is based on unverified information as of August 20, 2025, 06:33 PM IST. Readers are encouraged to verify details through the original sources for accuracy.
Sources:
