Billy Connolly suffered ‘severe fall’ following balance problems amid battle with Parkinson’s: ‘It’s very difficult to see progression’
Sir Billy Connolly’s wife Pamela Stephenson has spoken out about the star’s health problems, revealing the comic suffered “a few serious falls” after noticing his balance was deteriorating.
Scottish comedian Sir Billy, 80, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease ten years ago, the same day he discovered he had prostate cancer, for which he was later shot Green.
The comedian spoke about the degenerative disease with his wife Pamela for an article in The Guardian, and said: “It’s very difficult to see the progression accurately, because a lot of things come and go.
“Recently, I noticed a deterioration in my balance. This has never been such a problem before, but last year it happened and it stuck around.
“For some reason I thought it would go away, because so many symptoms came and went… just to challenge the symptom watchers.” The tremors have reappeared…’
Problems: Sir Billy Connolly’s wife Pamela Stephenson revealed the comedian had ‘a few serious falls’ after noticing his balance was deteriorating
Pamela added: “The balance issue was really big, wasn’t it?
“Especially since, unfortunately, this caused you some serious falls…”
Sir Billy said he had a fall that reminded him of a joke he made during his stay, explaining: “I said: ‘I fell out of bed, but luckily my face broke my fall…’
However, the comedian admitted his falls were adding “to the list of things that are holding me back.”
He said he often wanted to go for a walk, but after 50 meters he felt tired and wanted to go home, admitting he was “overwhelmed by this disease (Parkinson’s)”.
“It creeps up behind me and stops me from doing things. It’s a cruel disease,” he said.
While Pamela said the illness “goes quite slowly”, Sir Billy insists this “doesn’t make it any more pleasant”.
The couple spoke about how their relationship has changed since the comedian’s diagnosis and Sir Billy said his wife now dresses him in the morning, mentioning that he has asked for lifts everywhere as he can no longer drive.
Health: Scottish comedian Sir Billy, 80, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease ten years ago (pictured with his wife Pamela in 2014)
In May last year, Billy said he wasn’t letting his Parkinson’s dictate who he was as he spoke about his honor at being named a 2022 Bafta scholarship recipient.
The Scottish comedian was celebrated for a career spanning more than five decades at the Virgin Media Bafta TV Awards last year.
Sir Billy, who was knighted in 2017 for services to entertainment and charity, continued to record programs and make TV appearances following his diagnosis.
Speaking to Bafta.org about the scholarship, which is the highest honor awarded to recognize an “outstanding and outstanding contribution” to film, games or television throughout their career, he said: “ I have a collection of shiny things that I’m very proud of. of.
“But I never set out to catch them or track them down. I don’t believe in aiming for that goal, because if you don’t achieve it for one reason or another, you’re all disappointed.
“Just do what you do well and you’ll find yourself a guy before you know it.”
“It’s really important to work, to draw, to write, to do silly things for your grandchildren,” he told Bafta.org, adding: “Doing the same thing you’ve always done is good for you.”
“I don’t let Parkinson’s dictate who I am – I just keep going. I have had a very successful career and have no regrets.
