Sir Billy Connolly has admitted he has never had an ‘I’ve made it’ moment, despite enjoying a career in comedy lasting nearly 60 years.
Stand-up performer and philanthropist, 79, believes that nobody ever is ‘quite there. He said he had doubts about himself as a result of the ‘family circumstances’ he experienced growing up in Glasgow.
He revealed that he was sexually abused as a child by William, his father. He ‘interacted’ with him for five years starting at the age 10
Wow! Amazing!
The actor told The Mirror: ‘I’ve never considered myself having made it. It’s impossible to be there. It is like [being] rich. My family was so difficult that I was always in doubt about myself. It doesn’t really go away.
Billy’s father was an alcoholic RAF Technician, who passed away in 1989. His mother Mary, a divorcee, had taken care of him when he was just three years old.
He has spoken out about being beaten and abused by Mona his aunt.
BAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award winner had therapy to deal with his past experiences. He also wrestled with the guilt of having them come out at the tender age of 59.
Tragic: He previously revealed he had been sexually abused by his late father William as a boy, who ‘interfered with him’ for five years from the age of ten (pictured in the 1940s)
Billy went on to tell the publication: ‘Making it is a myth. Fame can also be a myth. People who are famous don’t see it as they imagine it.
He said that despite not possessing a distinctive mark, he has had many moments such as walking up to the podium at The Olympics. [Royal]Albert Hall, which was “extraordinary”
It comes after Billy revealed he has learned to ‘hypnotise’ his hand into becoming still when he begins shaking due to his Parkinson’s disease.
Humble: The 79-year old stand-up performer believes that nobody ever is ‘quite there.’ He said he had doubts about himself as a result of the ‘family’ he lived in during his childhood in Glasgow.
After being diagnosed in 2013, the comedian and veteran performer was forced to retire from comedy shows. He has always been transparent about what limitations it presents and how he is able to overcome them.
He explained to Radio Times that his disease is progressing and he cannot write letters anymore. However, he boasted that he uses hypnosis to manage his hands.
Billy told the publication: ‘I’ve learnt to hypnotise my hand. It kinda quivers when I stare at it. It stops after a while. It’s quite a good trick. We love it.’
Reflecting on his condition, he added: ‘I’ve never tried to cover up the illness. I’m p**sed off with it. It won’t go away. The people are almost chained to this. However, I do my best to smile.
He said that the only thing that makes him mad is his inability to write. He described how he once loved to write letters and now his writing skills are sporadic.
Although he has a selection of fountain pens, ink and other supplies to match them, the artist is now unable to use them. Billy added that he confronts condition by saying: ‘Bugger off, I’m going to get on with my life.’
For confidential support for adults who suffered any type of abuse in childhood call NAPAC on 0808 801 0331, free from landlines and mobiles, or click here for details.
Couple: Billy and Mary were raised by an alcoholic RAF Technician, who later died in 1989. Aunts took care of Billy after Mary (pictured), who walked away from her family at three.