Billy Connolly tops Christmas dinner guest poll

Comedian Billy Connolly has topped a poll asking the public to pick the most desirable Christmas dinner guest. Picture: Hemedia

The Big Yin topped a list of famous Scots who people would most like to eat, drink and be merry with at their festive dinner table.

The 71-year-old Glaswegian comedian, who has just completed a sell-out tour of his homeland despite suffering from Parkinson’s disease, gained 44 per cent of the votes in the survey.

Trainspotting star Ewan McGregor was in second place with 34 per cent while fellow actor James McAvoy came third with 29 per cent.

The survey was undertaken by YouGov for Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) to promote local produce such as Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork.

More than 1,000 Scots were asked to choose which famous living Scots they would invite to join them at their table this Christmas.

Sir Chris Hoy, who will be enjoying his first Christmas as a father, was next on the list with 28 per cent and 27 per cent of respondents chose Dr Who star Peter Capaldi as the fifth most popular guest.

Tennis star Andy Murray, TV favourite Lorraine Kelly and legendary ex-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson also made the list.

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Sir Sean Connery and superstar DJ Calvin Harris completed the top ten.

QMS has also published a Round the Table charity cookbook. This features recipes from a host of Scottish celebrities including festive favourites Ewan McGregor, Lorraine Kelly and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Raising funds for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) and CHILDREN 1ST, the book is packed full of simple to prepare nutritious family recipes perfect for sitting down to on a chilly winter evening.

From Lorraine Kelly’s delicious Beef Stew to Hardeep Singh Kohli’s Pork Vindaloo and Clare Grogan’s exotic Moroccan Lamb with Apricots, each dish is prepared using Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb or Specially Selected Pork.

Carol McLaren, QMS Head of Communications, said: “Scottish farmers, and others involved in the production of our top quality food, work hard and take a great deal of pride in what they produce and this campaign aims to encourage people to appreciate eating great food together at Christmas and throughout the year.

“The good news is interest in the provenance of meat continues to grow and this cookbook also helps to communicate the importance of the quality assurance and traceability behind famous brands like Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork.”

YouGov carried out the survey between 26 and 27 November 2014 using a sample of 1,025 adults in Scotland.

Famous living Scots the public would like to join them for Christmas dinner

1 Billy Connolly

2 Ewan McGregor

3 James McAvoy

4 Sir Chris Hoy

5 Peter Capaldi

6 Andy Murray

7 Lorraine Kelly

8 Sir Alex Ferguson

9 Sir Sean Connery

10 Calvin Harris

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