Billy Connolly made a sobering confession about his health.
The comedy legend made a heart-wrenching admission about his Parkinson’s disease, stating it will ultimately “end him,” in the 2020 TV special Billy Connolly: It’s Been A Pleasure.
Connolly reflected on his life and stellar career with his trademark wit. While discussing his 2013 diagnosis for the programme, he quipped: “I’ve got Parkinson’s disease. I wish he’d f-ing kept it.”
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Speaking to The Mirror, Billy added: “It was obvious from my movement, that I wasn’t who I used to be. And so I had to explain it.. just to say that I am not defined by it.” He bravely declared: “It’s got me and it will get me and it will end me but that’s OK with me.”
Billy confessed that he had “started low and ended high, just staying up there until it is time to stop,” which he branded as “a natural and good thing to do.”
“It is a good thing to be proud of, I wanted to be a funnyman and I got it. It’s been a pleasure talking to you all those years.”
From his early days as a folk singer to receiving a knighthood from the Queen in 2013, Billy acknowledged his fans’ support: “From the beginning when I was a folkie, right through, I couldn’t have done anything without you. You have been magnificent.”
Sir Billy had to come to terms with the fact that his performing days are over, saying: “I’ve done my stand-up. I did it for 50 years. I did it quite well. And it is time to stop.” He concluded: “My illness, my Parkinson’s disease, has rendered me different. It would either mean renewing what I do and doing something else, or give up what I did and that’s what I’ve done.”
“Why do I like to make people laugh? Because it is a jolly thing, it is good for you and it is good for them. It is a dynamite thing to be able to do, to get a laugh out of someone.”
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This was shown first on: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/billy-connollys-harrowing-death-confession-34183688