ITV - Billy Connolly's Route 66 (2011) Part 1 Chicago to St Louis

Billy Connolly fulfils a lifelong dream of travelling the world’s most famous highway – Route 66.

The 2488 mile long road from Chicago to Santa Monica is the embodiment of the American dream and, set to a soundtrack of some of the best American music of the 20th century, Billy will be taking in everything from the skyscrapers of Chicago and St Louis to the Wild West badlands of Oklahoma and Texas.

Astride his Boom motor-trike, Billy will see the Grand Canyon, the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona, the beaches of the Pacific and the excesses of LA. Along the way he'll meet the disciples of Route 66, from seasoned “roadies” to first-timers living the dream. He’ll also learn about key figures and events that have shaped the richly diverse culture and character of the US past and present.

Billy says: “How many other roads do you know that people sing about? It’s just one of those places you long to see. Ever since I was a wee boy in Glasgow I have fantasised about getting my kicks on Route 66. “This will be a tale in tarmac of presidents and paupers, cowboys and Indians, diners and drive-thrus, framed in a landscape from 100 movies with a soundtrack of the greatest music in the world – rock n roll. We’re going to have lots of fun, meet lots of people and see lots of things.”

Part 1 Chicago to St Louis

Billy begins his journey in Chicago, where he heads to the top of America's tallest building, discovers one of Al Capone's most notorious speakeasies and attends a gospel service in the suburb where rock and roll was born. Leaving the city behind, Billy visits the home of Abraham Lincoln, meets Illinois's champion pie-maker and encounters a 20-foot tall roadside giant. Finally, he heads into Amish country, where he takes the reins for a horse-drawn buggy ride.