THE BIG READ | Comedian Billy Connolly on how Parkinson’s disease has forced him to come to terms with death

Billy Connolly doesn’t mince his words. “I’m having a bit of a sad time,” the comedian admits when I ask how he is. “Nothing’s working.”

His shoulder twitches in a shrug. This is the effect of Parkinson’s disease and “happens every now and again”, he says. He’s tried a range of alternative treatments, including cannabis, “but I get bombed out of my head. And I don’t like it. My daughter bought me cigarettes with CBD. It helped a little, but not enough to write home about”.

Instead he practises daily meditation and takes seven boring prescription pills. “They keep me steady. I seem to be on the medium to mild side. Take a walk on the mild side,” he quips.