Big Yin's striking lookalike is a saint.

WHAT EVER else Billy Connolly's been called, saint is not the word that trips off the tongue.

But now it appears the Big Yin is a dead ringer for St Matthew.

A couple from the north-east of Scotland found the saint's picture in the Book Of Kells.

And it shows him to be uncannily like the comedy star.

Shirley Muir and her husband Allan, who run a re-enactment group in Aberdeen, found an ancient drawing of apostle St Matthew in the Book Of Kells.

The book is a lavishly illustrated manuscript dating back at least 1200 years. It was begun by monks from St Columba's Iona community although where the bulk of it was produced is still a mystery.

Shirley, who lives near Connolly's home, Candacraig House in Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, said: "As soon as I saw the picture I thought, 'Oh my God!'

"I was doing some research for our re-enactments this year and my interest in calligraphy always takes me to the Book Of Kells.

"I was looking for illustrations of church figures and bishops for ideas on costume when I stumbled on a picture of St Matthew. It could easily be Billy Connolly.

"Anyone who knows him couldn't fail to notice the striking resemblance. It is a really colourful picture and he is a really colourful character."

Billy Connolly was yesterday spotted shopping in Ballater, with locals speculating that he was due to meet Prince Charles and wife Camilla, who are holidaying in nearby Birkhall over Easter.

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UNCANNY: St Matthew