I'm a lucky man... I can laugh myself out of most things

Billy Connolly on living with Parkinson's

- LAURA HARDING and MARK JEFFERIES

SIR Billy Connolly has admitted he hates his loss of independence as he lives with Parkinson's disease but his sense of humour lifts his spirits during the tougher times.

The 80-year-old revealed that his wife now has to dress him but he can still crack jokes about how his life has changed since his diagnosis 10 years ago.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "My wife puts my clothes on in the morning. It's not very manly. Your mum puts your clothes on.

"I'm clumsy. I'm out of balance a lot and I fall. I'm fed up with it. I think I've a good attitude to it. I say to the disease, I'll give you a break if you give me a break. We're nice to each other.

"My memory is short. I forgot the name of one of my dogs, which is really awkward when you're shouting to it in the street. You have to say, 'Hey, doggy, doggy, which is terrible.