Sir Billy Connolly admits his stand-up days are over due to Parkinson's

Sir Billy says his stand-up days are behind him

Sir Billy Connolly has announced his stand-up days are over due to his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s.

The Big Yin, who has been formally involved in live comedy since the early 1970s, said he is “finished with stand-up” as the disease had robbed him of the ability to perform at his best.

Speaking to Sky News, the legendary Glasgow-born comic and screen actor said a sharp mind was required for his routines.

Sir Billy Connolly won't be returning to stand-up.

He said: “I’m finished with stand-up. It was lovely and it was lovely being good at it.

“It was the first thing I was ever good at.

“The Parkinson’s has made my brain work differently and you need a good brain for comedy. Everything you say should have five or six alternatives behind it.”

The 77-year-old also took a swipe at UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, claiming the “more people should listen to comedians” instead of politicians.

“Fewer people should listen to politicians,” he said.

“They should listen to comedians and poets, they’re telling the truth.”

Asked which politicians in particular people should be ignoring, Connolly replied: “Boris (Johnson). Anybody who listens to Boris needs professional help.

“He's a big, silly toff. Britain’s been listening to big, silly toffs for years. It’s time they listened to themselves and got on with it.”

Billy Connolly toured Britain and the world continuously for fifty years until his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2013.

The comedian hung up his banana boots for the final time three years later.