Comedian Billy Connolly blasts at families: Cherish your elders, love them more

Published on 14/12/2012 00:00

Veteran comic Billy Connolly has hit out at care of the elderly and the apparent eagerness of their families to put them into homes.

The 70-year-old star said pensioners are not afforded enough time in their own properties before being despatched to homes and are not “loved enough”.

In an interview with Reader’s Digest magazine, he said: “They’re getting less and less valued as people sell their houses and stick them in these places.

“I don’t think they’re kept in their own homes long enough; I don’t think they’re loved enough.”

Connolly said his own grandfather gave up on life after he was put into sheltered accommodation.

“My granddad lived alone and he was 96, 97. But he fell off a chair – he must have been fixing a picture or something – and hurt his elbow.

“The doctor insisted he went into sheltered housing – and he died. That was the last thing on earth he wanted, so he went to his bed and died. People should have [elderly relatives] at home because their grandchildren love them and they love their grandchildren – and they carry a lot of great recipes with them.”

Connolly, who is married to comedy actress-turned-psychologist Pamela Stephenson, told Reader’s Digest he still feels youthful despite his years.

“I feel exactly the same as I did when I was 37. The numbers keep changing: I don’t pay much attention.”

He also revealed that he had been in the running for the part of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films after the death of Richard Harris.