South Shields-born Eric Idle pays tribute to fellow Monty Python star Terry Jones

The pair had been friends and collaborators for almost six decades. They worked together on a several television projects, before teaming up with Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman and John Cleese to create Monty Python’s Flying Circus, first broadcast in 1969.
One of Python’s most famous sketches, Nudge, Nudge, was written by Idle which he then performed with Jones.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSouth Shields-born Idle, 76, tweeted: “Thank you all for your kind thoughts and messages of support for our dearly beloved brother Terry. It is a cruel and sad thing. But let’s remember just what joy he brought to all of us.”

“I loved him the moment I saw him on stage at the Edinburgh Festival in 1963. So many laughs, moments of total hilarity onstage and off we have all shared with him.
“It’s too sad if you knew him, but if you didn’t you will always smile at the many wonderfully funny moments he gave us.”
After the television show ended in 1974, Idle, Jones and the others went on to make three Python films: Monty Python and The Holy Grail, The Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe Holy Grail was later used by Idle as the basis for his musical comedy Spamalot, which continues to be a global smash.
Graham Chapman passed away in 1989. The remaining five re-formed for the last time in 2014 at London’s O2 Arena for 10 live shows entitled Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five to Go. Tickets for the first night sold out in 43 seconds.
Michael Palin said: “You will be very missed old friend. I feel very fortunate to have shared so much of my life with Terry.”
John Cleese tweeted: “Just heard about Terry J. It feels strange that a man of so many talents and such endless enthusiasm, should have faded so gently away…
“Of his many achievements, for me the greatest gift he gave us all was his direction of Life of Brian. Perfection.
“Two down, four to go.”