Sir Billy Connolly is trying to stay upbeat in his battle with Parkinson’s disease, an old friend says.
Fellow comic Kevin Bloody Wilson, 72, also insisted the Scottish star is still in reasonable health.
The Australian added: “Billy’s nature is getting him through.
“Billy is a funny b****** and he does see the funny side of it.
“He is still doing live shows, and I think Billy like all of us live entertainers will be out there doing it until we die.”
Wilson says his chum’s recent comments saying he was “near the end” have been taken out of context.
Connolly, 76, was diagnosed in 2012 and has been pictured looking frail and subdued.
Billy Connolly looks happy and healthy in rare public appearance with wife
But at the beginning of April Billy Connolly looks happy and healthy in rare public appearance with wife .
Connolly had his prostate removed following a cancer diagnosis several years ago and has joked about his shaky hands.
The comic admitted in a BBC documentary in January the degenerative brain condition meant he was now “at the wrong end of the telescope of life”.
He said: “My life is slipping away and I can feel it.
“But it doesn't frighten me - it's an adventure, and it's quite interesting to see myself slipping away, as bits slip off and leave me, talents leave and attributes leave.
Billy Connolly tells fans he's 'not dying' as he apologises for depressing them
"It's as if I'm being prepared for something, some other adventure, which is over the hill.
"I've got all this stuff to lose first, and then I'll be at the shadowy side of the hill doing the next episode in the spirit world."
- Kevin Bloody Wilson is in Los Angeles for a promotional show at the El Rey Theatre on Tuesday, April 23rd. Tickets can be purchased here . He is planning a US tour in the next few months. For further information see this page .
