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Billy Connolly reveals Parkinson’s symptoms mean he’s ‘started to drool’ and walk ‘unsteadily’ on Chris Evans Radio Show
COMEDIAN Billy Connolly has revealed how his Parkinson's symptoms have left him drooling and walking "unsteadily."
The Scotsman, 76, was diagnosed with the illness six years ago, but has since opened up about its devastating side effects on The Chris Evans Virgin Breakfast Radio Show.
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Talking alongside host Chris, Billy spoke openly about how the disease has taken its toll on his everyday life.
He said: "I've stopped performing because of my Parkinson's disease and I've stopped touring.
“I may perform at some other point but I have no plans to. And I'm quite happy taking my medicine and getting along with it.
The star added: "I’ve started to drool which is a new one on me. This disease it gives you a new thing every now and again that you have to deal with and drooling is my latest.
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“I walk unsteadily and my hearing is going and it's bizarre that bits of me are falling off but it's interesting.”
Chris then asked if the illness would affect his comedy, to which he replied: “It would affect my performance. I don't think the way I used to, I don't think at the same speed as I used to.
“And because I don't need to. I don't really know if the performance bit has gone because I have to get into the performance mode to see that.
“I’d have to walk onto the stage and I've never done that. And steadily more symptoms come and it's incurable. It's not going to end.”
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Despite his illness, Billy remains positive.
Chris asked: "Do you fear the future? Are you frightened?"
The comedian added: "No, I find it interesting and people are good to me, my wife is good to me.
"She makes me breakfast every day and does my pillows at night. Life is good."
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The star was dealt a devastating blow when he was diagnosed with both prostate cancer and Parkinson's on the same day in 2013.
Earlier this month, the funnyman revealed he no longer shares a bed with wife of 19 years, Pamela Stephenson.
Speaking to the , he said: "I sleep like a wild animal. Laughing and singing or having fights. Pamela has to sleep in another bed.
"So far, she has never tutted. And she’s a rather attractive nurse.”
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Meanwhile, in a two-part BBC documentary Made In Scotland Billy gave insight into his illness.
He said: “There is no denying it, I am 75, I have got Parkinson’s and I am at the wrong end of the telescope of life. I am at the point where the yesteryears mean more than the yesterdays.
“Because it is back there in my childhood and youth when I go to all those things that made me that live keenest in my memory now.
Billy has two children, Jamie, 45, and Cara, 43, from his first marriage to Iris Pressagh.
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He and Pamela are parents to Daisy, 33, Amy, 30 and Scarlett, 28.
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