AN EXPLOSIVE row between members of Monty Python has ended fans’ hopes of a last hurrah.
The legendary British comedy troupe have been in dispute over money for the past few years, with original members Eric Idle, 83, and John Cleese, 86, being at the heart of the fallout.
And according to Fawlty Towers icon Cleese, the remaining members of the group – including Michael Palin – are no longer on talking terms with Idle, whom he claims harboured hopes of working on a future project.
Cleese says Idle’s behavior towards their manager, Holly Gilliam – the daughter of Python, Terry Gilliam – was the catalyst behind their rift.
Taking to X, Cleese wrote: “A few days ago, Eric Idle asked the other Pythons for a meeting to discuss future projects.
“Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam and I refused, because we are appalled by the way he has been abusing Holly Gilliam since she took over from Jim Beach, after his stroke.
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“Now he’s saying we asked him for a meeting and he refused.
“Not to be trusted these days.”
Idle, too, has used social media to show his discontent with Cleese, whom he also clashes with politically, as well as emphatically stating “Python is dead.”
When asked by followers if he would ever put their political differences aside, Idle responded: “Unfortunately it’s much worse than that but I’m not going to say as it’s very boring.”
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Asked if he would ever work again with Palin and Gilliam, he added: “No chance.”
Idle says the Pythons manager Hollie is the reason why he is still working in his 80s, alleging the management of the group’s finances means he’s not as rich as he should be.
In a 2024 social media rant, he said: “I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded.
“I have to work for my living. I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously. I have been working and earning for Pythons since 1995. And now no more.”
In a dig at Holly, he continued: “I guess if you put a Gilliam child in as your manager you should not be so surprised. One Gilliam is bad enough. Two can take out any company.”
Cleese has defended Holly over the years, previously saying: “I want to make it clear that Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam and I are totally satisfied with Holly’s work.’
“He has bullied her for several years, and we all think it’s shameful.”
In a recent Sunday Times interview, Idle branded Cleese a “grumpy old man” and slammed his recent backing of the Restore leader, Rupert Lowe.
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He said: “Age is a difficult thing. I say you either become old and better, or old and bitter. You know, worked together for years and John was funny. He’s probably still funny. You don’t lose funny, or do you?”
Referring to Cleese’s famous Basil Fawlty character, Idle added that “a young man parroting an old man being grumpy is funny. But just turning into a grumpy old man, that’s less funny, isn’t it?”