THE Big Yin has been looking Back to the Future for inspiration following his Parkinson's disease diagnosis.
Movie star Michael J Fox, famous for his role as time-travelling youth Marty McFly, has been named by Billy Connolly's wife as a role model for the funnyman.
READ MORE: Billy Connolly discusses his Parkinson's disease at National Television Awards
Fox, 54, set up the Michael J Fox Foundation as an advocacy and funding group for Parkinson's sufferers after he was diagnosed in 1991.
Connolly's wife Pamela Stephenson said: "Michael J Fox has provided an incredibly positive role model.
"But to say Billy's diagnosis was a shock is an understatement."
The elder statesman of Scottish comedy only found out he had Parkinson's while he was being treated for prostate cancer in 2013 - despite having been checked for the disease three years previously.
READ MORE: Billy Connolly discusses his Parkinson's disease at National Television Awards
Stephenson revealed that a neurologist told Billy he walked like his Parkinson's patients, much to the comedian's chagrin.
A check at that point showed Connolly to be symptom-free, so when the condition was finally diagnosed, it came as all the more of a shock to his wife.
Stephenson added: "I must have been in denial for years and years."
Connolly is presenting ITV's Tracks Across America, while Fox has continued his successful acting career with shows such as hit comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm.
READ MORE: Billy Connolly discusses his Parkinson's disease at National Television Awards
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