Billy Connolly admits he relies heavily on wife Pamela Stephenson as Parkinson’s disease takes its toll
COMEDIAN Billy Connolly has revealed his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease has brought him closer to his wife.
The 74-year-old Scotsman was diagnosed with the degenerative disease (which attacks the nervous system) three years ago.
He says that keeping a sense of humour has been crucial to dealing with the disease – and he has been looking for positives.
Billy says he is now dependent on his 67-year-old wife Pamela Stevenson, who he married in 1989, but that he is enjoying the new balance in their relationship.
“It’s kind of drawn us together. I’m really dependent on her, you know physically, whereas I used to be the strong guy. Which is kind of pleasant. It’s a pleasant thing to lose the strong guy. You don’t need it. So it’s nicer,” the star told .
He explained why finding comedy in his ongoing struggle has kept him upbeat.
“A sense of humour is absolutely essential. It’s the only thing that gets you through. Sometimes I get kind of dark about it. It’s because it’s forever, you know,” he explained.
The comic legend explained that Russian doctor had told him the disease is “incurable”, and Billy explained he would prefer the term “we have yet to find a cure” – but admits the disease does inevitably play on his mind.
“It’s the first thing I think about in the morning because getting out of bed is quite hard. It’s a weird thing because it stopped me playing the banjo and it stopped me smoking cigars,” he said.
Last month, Billy brought viewers of Comic Relief to tears as he reflected on his achievements with the charity over the past several decades.
He had helped raise money for good causes in the UK and in Africa.
Sounding contemplative of the achievements he had made in the past, he spoke of future involvement with Comic Relief, soberly saying: "And then who knows? Maybe back on the show, maybe not. But I’m very proud of the stuff we’ve done together, thank you."
A documentary about the star and his life titled Billy Connolly & Me: A Celebration is due to air on ITV on Tuesday 18 April 2017 at 9pm.
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