Billy Connolly at event

He was diagnosed back in 2013

Sir Billy Connolly previously made a typically candid admission as he faced life with Parkinson’s disease. 

Back in 2013, comedian Billy Connolly was diagnosed with the degenerative neurological condition. Shockingly, on the same day, he was also diagnosed with cancer.

Billy Connolly at event
Sir Billy Connolly was diagnosed with cancer and Parkinson’s 12 years ago (Credit: INFphoto.com / Cover Images)

Billy Connolly in candid death admission

Five years after his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Billy – who is now 82 – announced he was retiring, marking the end of his comedy career. Ever since his retirement, Billy has put his efforts into establishing himself as an artist. And, over the years, he has published 11 collections of art.

But in 2019 he admitted that his life was “slipping away” from him. And made a heartbreaking confession.

According to Express, he said: “My life, it’s slipping away. I can feel it and I should. I’m 75, I’m near the end. I’m a damn sight nearer the end than I am the beginning. But it doesn’t frighten me, it’s an adventure. And it is quite interesting to see myself slipping away.”

Billy went on to admit that some of his “attributes” are leaving him, like his balance, hearing and energy. And over the years, his memory has also “slipped away” from him.

He said: “It is like somebody is in charge of you and they are saying: ‘Right, I added all these bits when you were a youth, now it’s time to subtract.’”

Billy Connolly and his wife Pamela
His wife Pamela Stephenson was there for him when he found out (Credit: INFphoto.com)

Billy on double diagnosis

On the same day as his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Billy was hit with the double blow that he had prostate cancer. And the revelation forced him to think about his life nearing its end.

Speaking to The Mirror in 2024, Billy admitted: “It was a funny week I had. On the Monday, I had hearing aids. On the Tuesday, I got pills for heartburn, which I have to take all of the time. And on the Wednesday I got news that I had prostate cancer and Parkinson’s.”

Recalling the moment he found out, Billy explained it was his wife who was there for him in that moment.

He said: “My wife, Pamela [Stephenson], was standing behind me. And she gave me a cuddle. But I was not unduly worried.”

As for how he has coped with the challenges brought his way, Billy admitted he just had to find a way because there was no other option.

Billy said: “You just confront it and make decisions based on it. And you just have to think, don’t think you are being badly treated in life or you have the bad pick of the straws. You are one of millions. You then realise death is not the big thing everyone has made it out to be. It is nothing. It is just a sudden nothing.”

In 2013, following treatment, Billy got the all-clear from cancer. But has still been living with his Parkinson’s diagnosis.