conn-ing death
Billy Connolly jokes about preparing to die as he says his ‘medicine is working’ on The One Show
BILLY Connolly joked about "preparing to die" as he told The One Show viewers his Parkinson's medicine is working.
Retired comedian Billy, 76, joined presenters Patrick Kielty and Angelica Bell on the show today and made them chuckle - and breath a sigh of relief - when he insisted he is not on death's door.
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The Scottish legend, who stopped performing after his diagnosis six years ago, cleared up speculation that he didn't have long to live after telling fans in January that he was "slipping away".
When Angelia remarked: "Now earlier in the year there was a documentary out that got people a little bit worried."
And speaking about the two-part BBC documentary, Made In Scotland, he said: "It was weird that I had told people that I was dying.
"I answered the question wrong, they said to me 'how do you feel about having had Parkinsons?' And I said, 'I'm slipping away. What I meant was bits of me were slipping away.
"My hearing was going, and my eyesight, and my ability to walk properly. Put on my socks properly in the morning. It sounded as if I was preparing to die. Like slipping away from this mortal coil. I've never had to say I was alive before. It's a really weird thing to do."
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And his super fan Patrick told him: "Fine and well you are looking, you are in good form!"
Viewers also got to see a video of Billy sitting on a boat and plucking a banjo in the sunshine, as he sang, 'not dying, not dead, not slipping away, sorry if I depressed you'.
And Patrick remarked: "The country has never been so happy to see a man playing the banjo."
Touching on his life-long attachment to medicine, Billy told him: "I'm feeling good. The medicine is working.
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Viewers agreed on Twitter, with one writing: "Beautiful & touching interview with Billy Connolly ❤️ well done @PatricKielty & Angelica Bell "
Another fan said: "Billy Connolly an absolute legend as ever #genius #TheOneShow"
Billy, who has stopped performing and touring, was diagnosed with Parkinson's six years ago.
The star was dealt a devastating blow when he was diagnosed with both prostate cancer and Parkinson's on the same day in 2013.
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Despite his illness, he remains positive.
Billy has two children, Jamie, 45, and Cara, 43, from his first marriage to Iris Pressagh.
He and Pamela are parents to Daisy, 33, Amy, 30 and Scarlett, 28.
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