Entertainment
Sir Billy Connolly ‘hypnotises’ hands amid shaking from Parkinson’s disease
Sir Billy has got a way to deal with his Parkinson’s symptoms (Picture: ITV / Indigo Television)
Sir Billy Connolly has revealed how he deals with his shaking hands amid his Parkinson’s – he ‘hypnotises’ them.
The comedian, 79, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013 said he’s now able to stare at his hand and effectively will it into becoming still, which is a pretty nifty skill.
Sir Billy – AKA the Big Yin – has been open about his diagnosis, which forced him to retire from live performances in 2020, and previously told how its progression means he is unable to write letters anymore.
Opening up further on how he deals with the symptoms associated with the disease, Sir Billy told Radio Times: ‘I’ve learnt to hypnotise my hand. I glare at it and it kinda quivers.
‘I just stare at it, and eventually it stops. It’s quite a good trick. We love it.’
Reflecting on his condition, he added that while he never tried to cover up the illness he’s ‘pissed off with it’, but added: ‘But I try to be cheery.’
He has been open about his diagnosis (Picture: PA)
Sir Billy – who marked the end of his career in comedy with a TV special – said the thing that ‘cheeses me off most’ is that he can no longer write.
He said: ‘I loved writing letters, but now my writing is illegible. My collection of fountain pens and ink is redundant. It’s a pain in the bum.
‘You confront it by saying “Bugger off, I’m going to get on with my life”.’
Be that as it may, the Scottish stand-up also said he disliked Parkinson’s help groups, branding them ‘weird, it’s a kind of social disease’ and noted he ‘can’t imagine talking about it all day.’
It comes after Sir Billy recently opened up on the disease during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show and admitted writing his latest book was a huge challenge.
‘I have lost the ability to write, and it breaks my heart as I used to love writing letters to people,’ he said.
More: Billy Connolly
‘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!’
However, he stressed he’s ‘doing ok’.
‘I have good days and bad days,’ he said. ‘It’s creeping up on me and it never lets go. I walk like a drunk man and have to have help. So, life is different, but it is good.’
Read the full interview in Radio Times, out now.
MORE : Ozzy Osbourne to undergo ‘major surgery’ as Sharon shares health update amid Parkinson’s
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
