Sir Billy Connolly has announced that his life is coming to a close and he is unafraid of his last great journey.
The beloved 76-year-old comedian, actor, and songwriter was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2012. There have been reports among friends and family that the degenerative brain disease has been taking a heavy toll on Connolly.
“My life is slipping away and I can feel it and I should,” Connolly said while filming BBC2‘s documentary Billy Connolly: Made in Scotland, which airs this Friday. ” I’m 75 and I’m a damn sight nearer the end than I am the beginning.”
"That's poetry whether you like it or naw"#BillyConnolly on the poetry of swearing in Glasgow. 😂😂
(Warning: Contains poetry and swearing!) pic.twitter.com/8Oj0P0ey63— BBC Two (@BBCTwo) January 2, 2019
“But it doesn’t frighten me,” he continued, “it’s an adventure and it’s quite interesting to see myself slipping away, as bits slip off and leave me, talents leave and attributes leave.
“It’s as if I’m being prepared for something, some other adventure, which is over the hill. I’ve got all this stuff to lose first, and then I’ll be at the shadowy side of the hill doing the next episode in the spirit world.”
Connolly also said that there is “still time to go yet, places to go, new friends to make, new songs to write and sing and jokes to tell”.
Despite his seemingly serious proclamation, Connolly insists a lack of seriousness is the true key for a happy life.
“You can volunteer to take life seriously, but it is going to get you,” he explained. “You know they’re going to win over you. It’s harsh. You can either break down and complain about how miserable your life is, or have a go at it and survive. I think that’s the basis of it all.”
Don’t miss the final chapter of Billy Connolly: Made in Scotland this Friday.