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Perspectives
“I love my life, even with Parkinson’s disease”
How DBS helped Inge Carstensen learn to live with Parkinson's
READ MOREScottish comedian Billy Connolly is back on stage and screen in 2015 – and refuses to be held back by early stage Parkinson’s
Billy Connolly has announced a major new international tour, telling fans of his determination to continue performing despite his Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Speaking about his forthcoming ‘High Horse’ tour, which will visit nine Canadian cities in October and November, Connolly defiantly brushed aside suggestions that he would be slowing down.
“You become defined by it. But I’ve had 45, 50 years without [Parkinson’s], so I can get along just fine, thank you very much.”
In fact, the comic said performing with Parkinson’s has created a new challenge as his mind works “at a different speed” now.
“I find it very interesting, especially in my comedy life, because my mind works differently. It works at a different speed and I find it very exciting,” he told the Canadian press.
However, Connolly also spoke of the negative impact that the disease has had on some areas of his life – most notably, being forced to give up playing his beloved banjo.
In addition to the standup tour, he is set to embark on an 8,000-mile rail adventure across the US for a new television series – ‘Billy Connolly’s Tracks Across America’ – during which he’ll attend Bluegrass music festivals.
“I’ve been longing to do it for a long time. The only trouble is [Parkinson’s disease has] really affected my left hand and I can’t play the banjo or guitar any more.”
The irrepressible comic retains a positive outlook, however, saying: “I’ll join in on the singing at least.”
Connolly – who underwent surgery for prostate cancer in 2013 after it was diagnosed within weeks of his Parkinson’s, is also starring in a new British film – ‘What We Did On Our Holiday’, in which he plays a character with cancer.
For details of Billy Connolly’s ‘High Horse’ tour dates, visit his website
This article was updated on 20 July 2015
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