Connolly wishes he 'could have done more' for Williams

Billy Connolly wishes he "could have done more" to help Robin Williams.

Connolly wishes he 'could have done more' for Williams

Billy Connolly wishes he "could have done more" to help Robin Williams.

The comedian - who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease last year - has compared himself to the late comedian and admitted he wished he'd been there for the 'Hook' star before he committed suicide last month.

Asked what he is best at, he said: "Doing nothing. People think it's easy but it takes years of practice. I used to be not quite like Robin Williams, but I'd find it hard to switch off.

"Robin was 'on' all the time. He was a joy to be around, let me tell you. In all the years I knew him I never got tired of him. He was a one-off, so warm, so human.

"In my quieter moments I do sometimes think I could have done more [to help him]. It's a lonely life, show business. You spend a lot of time on your own, and if you dwell on these things you can hurt yourself, as Robin proved."

Meanwhile, Billy opened up about Parkinson's disease and insisted he isn't scared of it, but more intrigued.

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday newspaper's Event magazine, he explained: "Not really. It comes and it goes ... I can't play banjo as well as I used to. It affects my left hand. There's a funny trait I've had all my life.

"When I'm in danger I go, 'Oh, this is interesting', instead of going, 'Holy s**t, what's happening?' I can stand back and observe it. It was the same in my drinking days.

"I had out-of-body experiences. I stood and watched myself falling in the street once. I saw myself fall and bounce. There's a time when you have to stop because you become pathetic."

more courts articles

DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers
UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules
Former prisoner given indefinite hospital order for killing Irishman in London Former prisoner given indefinite hospital order for killing Irishman in London

More in this section

Sean Combs Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of 2003 sexual assault
Kelly Rowland Kelly Rowland appears to berate security guard at Cannes Film Festival
Timothee Chalamet latest star to join Hollywood line-up at Madame Tussauds Timothee Chalamet latest star to join Hollywood line-up at Madame Tussauds
Lifestyle
Newsletter

The best food, health, entertainment and lifestyle content from the Irish Examiner, direct to your inbox.

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited