Comedy actress Elaine C Smith to be presented with Freedom of Glasgow to mark city's 850th anniversary

Actress and comedian Elaine C Smith is set to be presented with the Freedom of Glasgow as part of the city’s 850th birthday celebrations.

Glaswegian Smith, known for starring roles in Rab C Nesbitt and Two Doors Down, said it was “special” to receive the city’s highest honour.

The 66-year-old will be the first woman to receive the award since Dame Anna Maxwell Macdonald in 1969, who donated Pollok House and its art collection to Glasgow.

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was offered the award in 2009 when she was under house arrest as Burma’s pro-democracy leader, however, the honour was was withdrawn in 2017 following criticism of her response to the Rohingya refugee crisis.

Other previous recipients of the honour include Jim Watt, Kenny Dalglish, Nelson Mandela, Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Billy Connolly.

Elaine C Smith said: “I cannot tell you how thrilled and truly moved I am. To be awarded the Freedom of the City of Glasgow during its 850th birthday celebrations make it even more special.

“I have been fortunate to have been put forward for a few honours in my life, but none would fill my heart or mean more, than being awarded the Freedom of this city – my home and the place I love. I cannot thank Glasgow City Council enough for even considering me for this honour.”

Smith started her career by training at the former Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Her most well known roles include Mary Doll in Rab C Nesbitt, Irene in City Lights and more recently, Christine in Two Doors Down – for which she received a BAFTA Scotland Award.

She also won a Royal Television Society Award for her series Burds Eye View in which she toured Scotland.

The award also recognises Smith’s “significant” charitable work, with the actress having recently raised over £20,000 for the National Society for the Protection of Children.

She also raised £10,000 for local foodbanks through free stand-up shows in Barlanark, Pollok, Knightswood and Castlemilk.

Freedom of the City, made to “persons of distinction or persons who have rendered eminent service to the city”, is the highest honour a city can award.

Lord Provost Councillor Jacqueline McLaren will present the honour during the Glasgow 850 Festival next year.

She stated: “I’m delighted Elaine C Smith intends to accept Glasgow’s highest honour – The Freedom of the City.

“A much-loved comedy actress who demonstrates perfectly Glaswegian sensibilities of fun underpinned by straight talking. I’m excited at the prospect of presenting this award to Elaine and acknowledging her stellar achievements entertaining the nation.”

According to Glasgow City Council, freemen have the right to fishing on the Clyde; right to graze cows on common land (Glasgow Green); the duty to patrol and guard the town; and the duty to defend the town by arms – which if they do not do they could be prosecuted for perjury.