Billy Connolly Says Parkinson's Has 'Drawn Him Closer' To Wife Pamela Stephenson

'It’s a pleasant thing to lose the strong guy. You don’t need it. So it’s nicer.'

Billy Connolly has opened up about living with Parkinson’s disease, admitting that growing more reliant on wife Pamela Stephenson has actually helped them grow closer.

The legendary comedian first shared his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2014, more recently disclosing that the symptoms of the illness meant he could no longer play his beloved banjo.

Pamela Stephenson and Billy Connolly
Pamela Stephenson and Billy Connolly
Karwai Tang via Getty Images

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Billy has said that his illness means he relies more on his wife than ever before, explaining: “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.

However, he added that he does “get angry” about his illness from time to time, admitting: I apologised to Pam yesterday. I said, ‘I’ve been a bit gruff.’ She said, ‘Oh, you’re OK.’ I just get fed up.”

Pamela and Billy at an event in 2007
Pamela and Billy at an event in 2007
Dave Hogan via Getty Images

Billy has made only a handful of television appearances since his diagnosis, most recently managing to raise a smile as he fronted an appeal during ‘Let’s Sing And Dance For Comic Relief’.

On Tuesday (18 April), he’ll be at the centre of a special reflecting on his life and career, ‘Billy Connolly & Me: A Celebration’, which will air at 9pm on ITV.

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