Sir Billy Connolly has explained why it’s very rare for him to turn down a funeral invitation.
The 80-year-old Scottish actor and retired stand-up comedian, nicknamed “The Big Yin”, writes in his newly releaed autobiography, Rambling Man: Travels of a Lifetime, about his feelings of comfort when in a cemetery.
In an extract shared by The Telegraph, he also explains how he reliably makes an effort to attend funerals and recalls his manager being bewildered by his commitment, telling him: “Billy – even if you haven’t seen someone for 25 years and they die in another country you’ll jump on a plane.”
“I just like to see people off,” he concedes. “It’s important to me. Boys from school. Apprentices from the Clyde. Welders. It’s a bit like a school reunion. Seeing all the people from that place and time – that world I was once part of.”
Connolly, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, also uses his new book to address reports his “demise”, saying they have been “greatly exaggerated”.
Parkinson’s is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. Often, the disease can become more severe over time.
During an interview published in September, it was revealed that Connolly had suffered “a couple of serious falls” and once broke his hip as a result of deteriorating balance. He also expressed having difficulties with walking.
Despite his growing physical challenges, the Muppets Treasure Island star clarifies that he doesn’t feel “close to death”.
“There was a week a few years ago where on Monday I got hearing aids, Tuesday I got pills for heartburn, and Wednesday I received news that I had prostate cancer and Parkinson’s disease. But despite all that, I never ever felt close to dying.”
“You see, reports of my recent demise have been greatly exaggerated,” he pens.
“There was a week a few years ago where on Monday I got hearing aids, Tuesday I got pills for heartburn, and Wednesday I received news that I had prostate cancer and Parkinson’s disease. But despite all that, I never ever felt close to dying.”
