Billy Connolly ‘Shaken Psychologically’ By Parkinson’s Diagnosis, Admits His Wife

He was first treated for early symptoms of the disorder in 2013 and seemed to be coping well.

But Billy Connolly’s therapist wife has admitted the comic has been “shaken psychologically” by his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.

Writing in Woman & Home magazine, Pamela Stephenson said about her 73-year-old husband, pictured below: ‘There is no doubt he has been shaken psychologically by the idea of having a creeping disease for which there is no cure.’

Stephenson went on: ‘But physically we had seen very little change in him. Even now, I rarely notice his hand shaking and we have been informed that the disease is on his left side, a blessing for a right-handed person. Even Billy’s specialist remarked that the average person would never know he had it.

‘He was upset but after a while began to joke about it. He now talks about carrying an “invisible raincoat” – referring to how his arm goes into a crooked position as if he is carrying a garment. All in all, we are enormously blessed because Billy is actually doing really well.’

Stephenson, 66, above with Connolly, insisted the Man Who Sued God actor is ‘as funny as he’s ever been’, but she never accompanies him on his tours for fear of being the target of some of his quips.

She added: ‘He hates me showing up when he’s on tour. I imagine that’s because on stage he’s often funny at my expense.’

Connolly, onstage above in his heyday, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the same week he was told he had prostate cancer and had two hearing aids fitted, but recently admitted he goes to work to “stay positive” about his battle with the disease.

Pictures Getty Images