Billy Connolly 'near the end' as he admits 'I don't fear death'

Sir Billy Connolly admitted he’s “near the end,” in a candid admission about living with Parkinson’s Disease. 

The retired comedian, 81 was diagnosed with the degenerative neurological condition in 2013 and spoke on how his life is “slipping away”. 

According to the NHS, Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years. 

Its main symptoms include involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body, slow movement, stiff and inflexible muscles, and other physical and psychological symptoms. 

In a 2019 interview with MailOnline, Connolly said: “My life, it's slipping away and 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.

The TV presenter continued: “As bits slip off and leave me, talents leave and attributes leave. I don't have the balance I used to have, I don't have the energy I used to have.

“I can't hear the way I used to hear, I can't see as good as I used to. I can't remember the way I used to remember. And they all came one at a time, and they just slipped away, thank you. 

He added: “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 is time to subtract’.”

Five years after his diagnosis, Connolly announced his retirement and the end of his stand-up career due to the increasing difficulties of the illness. 

In the years since the 81-year-old has focused on establishing himself as an artist and has published 11 collections of his art. 

In April 2019, to celebrate World Parkinson's Day, Connolly’s art was projected onto MacLellan's Castle in Kirkcudbright.

His first sculpture, which is inspired by his past as a welder, was released in March 2020.