Billy Connolly almost died when he had an accident on Route 66

The 68-year-old reportedly tried to laugh off the incident when his vehicle skidded and rolled on top of the star.

Connolly escaped with just two broken ribs but onlookers said it was a serious accident.

A source said to UK newspaper Daily Express: 'There is a button on the vehicle to boost its power, and Billy reckons his glove might have accidentally triggered it.

'The bike kicked forward and he came off and it ran over the top of him. It is a big beast. They weren't filming at that point, because they had already shot most of the footage of him on the bike anyway.

'It was a pretty horrific accident and he was in a lot of pain. They lost two days off the schedule while he recovered sufficiently to carry on.'

The show, Billy Connolly's Route 66, will be aired on ITV later this year.