Sir Billy Connolly gives Parkinson’s update as he accepts the BAFTAs . Scholarship Award

Sir Billy Connolly was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013 and retired from live performances five years later; he mentioned the disease in his pre-recorded acceptance speech for the prestigious Bafta scholarship

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BAFTAs: Billy Connolly opens up about Parkinson’s after winning an award

Sir Billy Connolly gave fans an update on the situation in a pre-recorded speech to accept the prestigious Bafta scholarship, when he joked that “now my career is out the window”.

The 79-year-old Scottish comedian currently lives in the US and was unable to attend the event in person, but recorded an acceptance speech that was broadcast to a celebrity audience on Sunday.

Sir Billy was honored for a career spanning more than five decades and, referring to his Parkinson’s disease when he received the gong, said: “I am very proud to receive this. Life is good. I haven’t been on stage for about two years. This is the good kind. It suits me.

“Symptoms trackers among you may have noticed that my left side is different from my right side. It’s just one of these. Parkinson disease. I am seriously ill.

“My wife puts her clothes on in the morning and takes them off at night. It is a happy life. I have no complaints. “

Sir Billy, who was knighted in 2017 for his work in entertainment and charity, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013 and retired from performing live five years later, but continues to film. programs and television appearances.

After telling anecdotes illustrating how the world has changed in his comedy 50 years, he added: “I went from strength to strength on television and today we received this award.

“I couldn’t be happier. It made me a happy man to receive these well attended medals when my career was out the window. ”

He joins a prestigious list of recipients including Sir David Attenborough, Dame Julie Walters, Sir Trevor McDonald, Dame Joanna Lumley, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.

Sir Billy began his life as a welder in Glasgow before embarking on a career as a singer and folk musician with Gerry Rafferty on The Humblebums.

Thereafter, he continued to develop the independent act that has helped him become famous as well as establish a reputation as an outstanding actor.

Sir Billy won critical acclaim for his performance opposite Dame Judi Dench in 1997’s Mrs Brown, as well as The Man Who Sued God and The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies.

In 2002, Sir Billy was awarded the Bafta Special Award and CBE in honor of the Queen’s birthday in 2003.

In 2010 he was awarded the highest honor Glasgow could bestow on him, the Freedom of the City.

Two years later, he was honored by Bafta Scotland with a lifetime achievement award for his six decades in the business.

Sir Billy has been married to clinical psychologist turned actress and author Pamela Stephenson since 1989.

His most recent television projects include Billy Connolly: Made In Scotland in 2018, Billy Connolly’s Great American Trail in 2019 and Gold’s Billy Connolly Does … which aired this year.