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Billy Connolly gives heartbreaking update to fans on his Parkinson’s explaining he can no longer write

He says he loves writing letters

Sir Billy Connolly, who has Parkinson’s disease, gives fans an update about his battle with the condition on The Graham Norton Show tonight (Friday October 15).

The 78-year-old told the host he now cannot write, something that “breaks his heart”.

Sir Billy Connolly opens up about his battle with Parkinson's on The Graham Norton Show
Billy now says he is unable to write (Credit: SplashNews.com)

What does Sir Billy Connolly say in tonight’s show about Parkinson’s?

The comedy legend – nicknamed the Big Yin – appears on the show alongside Jodie Whittaker and Sir Lenny Henry.

On to plug his new autobiography, Sir Billy opens up about the neurological condition he’s been dealing with since 2013.

Read more: Billy Connolly Parkinson’s: Comedian returns to creating amazing art days after second COVID jab

And he reveals that the disease has robbed him of something that he loves doing.

“I have lost the ability to write,” he says, “and it breaks my heart as I used to love writing letters to people.”

Sir Billy Connolly opens up about his battle with Parkinson's on The Graham Norton Show
Billy on Lorraine (Credit: ITV)

What else did Billy say?

Appearing on a video link from his Florida home, he says: “My writing went down the swanny and is totally illegible, so I had to find a way to record everything, but then the recorder didn’t understand my accent so it kept collapsing and my family would have to sort it.

“It was a club effort!”

Sir Billy also says: “It’s creeping up on me and it never let’s go.

“I walk like a drunk man and have to have help. So, life is different, but it is good.”

Sir Billy Connolly opens up about his battle with Parkinson's on The Graham Norton Show
Bill says he’s proud of his career (Credit: ITV)

“Not defined” Parkinson’s

In last year’s 2020 ITV documentary Bill Connolly: It’s Been A Pleasure, the star admitted the condition will “end him”.

“It was obvious from my movement that I wasn’t who I used to be,” he said.

Read more: Sir Billy Connolly admits medical challenges are ‘getting worse’ amid Parkinson’s battle

“And so I had to explain it… just to say that I am not defined by it.

“It’s got me and it will get me and it will end me but that’s okay with me.”

However, courageous Billy ended on a positive and said he’s proud of his long and celebrated career.

Sir Billy Connolly On Missing Robin Williams, His Parkinson's Diagnosis & Enjoying Lockdown | LK

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Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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