Entertainment

Nothing is going to slow Billy Connolly as he gets back to work amid Parkinson’s battle


Billy joked around on set this week (Picture: Splash News)

After recently having to awkwardly explain he had Parkinson’s disease, Billy Connolly headed back to work and looked pretty darn happy in the process.

The 76-year-old comedian first revealed he had the condition in 2013, heartbreakingly admitting later he felt his life was ‘slipping away’.

Now this week he appeared to return to work in fine form, posing for a photoshoot in Glasgow.

Wearing a denim jacket with a red scarf peeping out the pocket, Billy kept his hands in the pockets of his black trousers as he smiled for the camera.

In between shots he appeared to be joking around with the crew, no doubt imparting some of that brilliant Billy Connolly charm and wit he’s become famous for.

He kept his hands in his pockets as he smiled for the camera (Picture: Splash News)
He’s stepped away from stand-up due to his health (Picture: Splash News)

Last week the comedian – who has stepped away from stand-up – was forced to explain he had the neurological disease in the Great American Trail, but still managed to laugh the thing off after his shaking hand was noticed.

The disease means part of the brain becomes damaged over the years, affecting memory, hearing and energy levels.

As he filmed with a bagpipe player, the performer noted: ‘I can see your fingers going there,’ as he asked if Billy played.

‘No, I’ve got Parkinson’s,’ he replied, joking: ‘It’s second best to playing the pipes.’

Fans weren’t too impressed with the musician ‘putting his foot in it’, with some quoting the mishap on Twitter.

However, the star clearly wasn’t disheartened as he went on to play a tune on Hank Williams’ old guitar in an emotional moment.

Billy revealed his condition in 2013 (Picture: ITV)

‘It affected me a lot more deeply than I thought [it would],’ Billy admitted afterwards. ‘I’m scared, shaking.’

It came after he bleakly said he felt his life was ‘slipping away’ as he battled the incurable disease.

‘My life, it’s slipping away and I can feel it and I should. I’m 75, I’m near the end,’ he said earlier this year on his documentary Made In Scotland.

‘I’m a damn sight nearer the end than I am the beginning. But it doesn’t frighten me, it’s an adventure and it is quite interesting to see myself slipping away.’

At one point, Billy had to stop filming as talking about it became too emotional.

‘Parkinson’s is strange because it’s not gonna go away,’ he said.

‘All my life I’ve got sick, I’ve had flu and various things and they all went away. This isn’t going anywhere. This is gonna get worse.’

Billy added: ‘It takes a certain calm to deal with. I sometimes don’t have it. I sometimes get angry with it, but that doesn’t last long.

‘The love you have for people is still there and with a bit of luck the love they have for you is still there.’



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