Comic also confirms his retirement from stand-up

He may be one of the most famous people to have been diagnosed with the condition, but Billy Connolly says he won’t take part in events linked to Parkinson’s disease.

The comic told Sky News: ‘I’m always being asked to go to Parkinson’s things and spend time with Parkinson’s people, having lunch or something like that. And I don’t approve of it.

‘I don’t think you should let Parkinson’s define you and all your pals be Parkinson’s people.

‘I don’t think it’s particularly good for you. So I don’t do it.’

The 77-year-old comic who was diagnosed with the degenerative disease in 2013, reiterated the fact that he had retired stand-up – as he first announced in December 2018.

He said Parkinson’s ‘made my brain work differently – and you need a good brain for comedy’.

'I’m finished with stand-up - it was lovely and it was lovely being good at it. It was the first thing I was ever good at.’

But he added: ‘More people should listen to comedians, and fewer people should listen to politicians.

‘People should listen to comedians and poets, they're telling the truth... anybody who listens to Boris needs professional help because he's a big, silly toff and Britain's been listening to big, silly toffs for years.’

He was speaking as an exhibition of his art goes on display at Castle Fine Arts in London's South Molton Street. It can be seen there until March 12, after which it goes on sale online.

Published: 5 Mar 2020