Neil Diamond says he’s come to terms with Parkinson’s diagnosis ‘over the past few weeks’: ‘Calm has set in’

Neil Diamond has opened up about his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, which he first revealed publicly in 2018.

The 82-year-old legend admitted he struggled to come to terms with his diagnosis and denied it for a year or two during an interview on ‘CBS Sunday Morning,’ which airs April 2.

“I always do. And I don’t like it,” the music legend said. “But…this is me, this is what I have to accept. And I’m ready to do it. And, OK, so this is the hand that God gave me, and I have to make the best of it. , and therefore I am I am.”

Host Anthony Mason asked Diamond when he came to accept that he had Parkinson’s disease, a progressive central nervous system disorder that affects movement.

NEIL DIAMOND HOSTS GLOBAL SINGALONG “SWEET CAROLINE” TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO MEET

“I think it’s happened over the last few weeks,” the Grammy winner replied.

“But somehow a calm settled in (into) the hurricane of my life, and things got very calm, as quiet as this recording studio. And I like that . I find that I like myself better. I’m easier with people . I’m easier with myself. And the rhythm continues, and it will continue long after I’m gone.”

THE announced singer in January 2018, he retired from touring after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The singer-songwriter also announced that the dates for the final leg of his 50th anniversary world tour have been cancelled.

The 82-year-old admitted he had struggled to come to terms with his diagnosis and had been in denial for a year or two. (Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Keep Memory Alive)

In December, Diamond surprised the crowd on the opening night of “A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical” with an impromptu performance of “Sweet Caroline.”

Written by Anthony McCarten and produced by Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio, “A Beautiful Noise” is based on Diamond’s life and musical career.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Diamond and his wife Katie McNeil walked the red carpet ahead of the show’s opening night and were greeted with a standing ovation as they entered the theater.

As he stood next to McNeil in their dressing rooms, Diamond led the audience in a single from his 1969 megahit during the curtain call at New York’s Broadhurst Theater.

In December, Diamond surprised the crowd on the opening night of “A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical” with an impromptu performance of “Sweet Caroline.” (Bruce Glikas/WireImage)

The audience erupted in cheers and applause as he began to sing the classic tune with the crowd joining in the chorus.

The New York native’s last hometown performance was on New Year’s Eve in Times Square in late 2017. The “I’m a Believer” hitmaker has made few public appearances since announcing his retirement.

However, he joined Will Swenson, who plays the younger version of Diamond in the musical, for a performance of “Sweet Caroline” last June during a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park in Boston.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

During Diamond’s CBS interview, Mason asked her about the hardest part of watching her life story portrayed in the Broadway musical.

“It was pretty tough,” admitted Diamond. “I was a little embarrassed. I was flattered and scared.”

Mason asked, “What were you afraid of?”

“To be discovered is the scariest thing you could hope for, because we all have a facade,” he replied. “And let the truth be known to all. I’m not a big star. I’m just me.”