Connolly: Parkinson’s does not dictate my life

Sir Billy Connolly has said he does not let his Parkinson’s disease dictate who he is as he spoke of his honour at being named the recipient of this year’s Bafta Fellowship.

The 79-year-old Scottish comedian, also known as The Big Yin, will be celebrated for a career spanning more than five decades at the Virgin Media Bafta TV Awards on Sunday.

Sir Billy, who was knighted in 2017 for services to entertainment and charity, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013, but has continued to make TV appearances. Speaking to Bafta.org about the fellowship, he said: “I don’t let the Parkinson’s dictate who I am – I just get on with it.”