Billy Connolly has opened up about the last conversation he had with his close friend Robin Williams shortly before the actor's death in August. The Scottish comedian, 71, revealed that he thinks Robin – who was a fellow Parkinson's sufferer like Billy – was trying to say goodbye to him during their final phone call. "We used to talk about Parkinson's a lot," Billy told The Telegraph. "He would call me and we would compare notes. His was early onset, the same as mine. Everybody worries about it."
© Photo: Getty ImagesRobin Williams was a 'complicated man, but a beautiful person' said Billy Connolly
"We told each other we loved each other," added Billy. "I told him and he told me many times. I never stopped it and he never stopped telling me. "As a matter of fact, I thought afterwards he tried to say goodbye to me, because he got very luvvie towards the end. It's fanciful but that's what I told myself. On the last phone call he said, 'I love you like a brother,' and I said, 'I know you do,' and he said, 'Are you sure you know?' and I said, 'Yes.' Robin worried about everything."
GALLERY: Robin's top 10 quotesHe added: "He was my pal. He was not always depressed. He was a complicated man, but a beautiful person. He was a joy."
© Photo: RexBilly Connolly and Robin Williams would 'compare notes' on Parkinson's
Billy, who plays a dying grandfather in new comedy What We Did on Our Holiday, also spoke about coping with his neurological condition.
Robin's cause of death confirmed"The Parkinson's, I feel the effect of it every day," he said. "Sometimes I can't play my banjo as well as I used to because my left hand doesn't move as well as it did. I refuse to be defined by it. I just get on with life despite this being another bump in the road."
© Photo: Getty ImagesRobin Williams and Billy Connolly pictured with Dudley Moore circa 1985
Billy and Robin, who knew each other for over three decades, were often pictured sharing a joke and enjoying each other's company. The Mrs. Doubtfire star often visited his friend in his native country, for the Scotsman's birthday and to participate in the Lonach Highland Games on more than one occasion.
Robin's ashes scattered day after he diedRobin, who passed away aged 63, took his own life. He was found in his San Francisco, California home by his personal assistant.
