Billy Connolly will continue to perform on stage and screen despite undergoing surgery for prostate cancer and being treated for the “initial symptoms” of Parkinson’s disease.
Glasgow-born Connolly (70) started in showbusiness as a folk singer before developing the stand-up act that led to a career in television and film.
“Billy Connolly recently underwent minor surgery in America after being diagnosed with the very early stages of prostate cancer,” his spokeswoman said. “The operation was a total success and Billy is fully recovered. In addition, Billy has been assessed as having the initial symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, for which he is receiving the appropriate treatment . . .
“He will start filming a TV series in the near future as well as undertaking an extensive theatrical tour of New Zealand in the new year.”
Connolly began his working life in the Clyde shipyards, became a household name with a string of appearances on Michael Parkinson’s chat show.
He went on to perform sell- out stand-up shows around the world, present a series of documentaries and become an in-demand character actor.
He is married to New Zealand-born actor and psychologist Pamela Stephenson, whose biography of her husband, Billy, was a huge best-seller. He has five children, three with Stephenson. – (PA)
