OUR search for the Greatest Glaswegian has a runaway winner.

Arise, Sir Billy Connolly – according to Evening Times readers, you are our number one.

The Big Yin topped our poll to find our most impressive citizen, following our profiles of 100 men and women associated with the city.

The former shipyard worker is a global superstar, who made his name as a comedian and has since added actor, documentary film-maker and all round national icon to his CV.

From banjo-player and movie star to playwright, pop star and urban philosopher, he has done more than almost anyone else to ‘sell’ Glasgow around the world, opening people’s eyes to the city’s warmth, humour and creativity, warts and all.

Recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, Billy has announced his retiral from touring, but earlier this year he performed the role of Grand Master at the New York City Tartan Day Parade in front of 30,000 spectators.

Evening Times editor Donald Martin said: “We had a fantastic response to our celebration of the men and women who have put Glasgow on the map and Billy Connolly is a very worthy winner of the title, Greatest Glaswegian.

“To Sir Billy, who already has Freedom of the City of Glasgow, we’d like to send a message of congratulations and the ‘freedom of the Evening Times’ – we would be delighted to offer him a copy every time he is back in his home city.

The rest of the top ten based on the public vote are:

2 AAMER ANWAR

Fearless lawyer Aamer has become famous for defending the human rights of the vulnerable. Although born in Liverpool, he has made Glasgow his home ever since his days as a teenage student in the city; and for more than 30 years, he has dedicated his career to standing up for civil liberties.

3 WALTER SMITH

Walter grew up in Carmyle in the east end of Glasgow, a boyhood fan of Rangers, the club he would eventually manage to great success, including seven successive league titles, the domestic treble in 1992/93, and both the Scottish Cup and the League Cup three times. He took the club to the final of the UEFA Cup – the club’s first European final for 36 years, and went on to secure Rangers’ 54th league championship, a world record, in his final season.

4 PETER CAPALDI

Springburn-born Peter, a brilliant actor and role model, won an Oscar for his short film Franz Kafka’s It’s A Wonderful Life, starring Richard E Grant and Ken Stott; delighted a generation sick fed up with political spin as foul-mouthed Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It; and won over another, younger generation as the Twelfth Doctor in the most famous long-running sci-fi series of all time.

5 SHEILA HALLEY

Sheila is the driving force behind the Dixon Community for the elderly in Govanhill, Glasgow. As well as giving the area’s older people a voice, it was one of the first caring organisations to provide integrated day care for the area’s Asian community.

6 GEORGE PARSONAGE

‘River Man’ George Parsonage, who announced his retirement recently, patrolled the Clyde for almost all of his life, rescuing more than 1500 people from its murky depths and recovering many more who sadly did not survive.

7 CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH

The world-famous architect, designer and artist was born on Parson Street, close to Glasgow Cathedral and his designs are still sought-after continues to inspire people around the world today.

8 MARY BARBOUR

While her birthplace is not Glasgow - she was born in Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, Mary Barbour has become synonymous with the city thanks to her role in the Rent Strikes of 1915. Local hero Mary went on to became a councillor and fought for free school milk, children’s playgrounds, municipal wash-houses, and an end to slum housing.

9 JOHN MACLEAN

The Pollokshaws-born schoolteacher and revolutionary socialist of the Red Clydeside era was notable for his outspoken opposition to the First World War and his formation of a Scottish Communist Party.

10 ALEX FERGUSON/JOSEPH LISTER

The most successful British football manager of all time, Govan-born Sir Alex Ferguson won 38 trophies including 13 league titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups during his 26 years in charge of Manchester United.

He may have been born in England, but it was in Glasgow that Joseph Lister, surgeon and pioneer of antiseptic surgery, made his greatest discovery.While working at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Lister introduced carbolic acid, now known as phenol, to sterilize surgical instruments and to clean wounds, saving many lives.