Entertainment

‘Two down, four to go’: John Cleese speaks out on Monty Python co-star Terry Jones’ death


John has paid tribute to Terry (Picture: Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Getty Images)

John Cleese has paid tribute to his Monty Python co-star Terry Jones following his death aged 77.

The comedy legend died on 21 January with his wife Anna by his side, following a long battle with dementia.

And in the wake of the family issuing a statement confirming the sad news, Cleese spoke out – saying: ‘Two down, four to go.’

The 80-year-old tweeted: ‘Just heard about Terry J.

Graham died in 1989 (Picture: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

‘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.’

The comedian added: ‘Two down, four to go.’

Jones and Cleese formed Monty Python alongside Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Graham Chapman in 1969, when they all brainstormed in a tandoori restaurant in north London.

Chapman died aged 48 from tonsil cancer in 1989, on the eve of Monty Python’s 20th anniversary.

Cleese famously starred alongside Jones in the iconic Mr Creosote sketch in The Meaning Of Life, where John played the waiter to an obese, rude restaurant patron who vomited throughout his meal, only to explode upon eating a ‘wafer-thin’ after-dinner mint.

Monty Python fans have been remembering Terry’s finest comedy moments following his death, with celebrities including Stephen Fry and Charlie Brooker also paying tribute. 

Jones’ family confirmed that the star had passed away on 21 January after a long battle with dementia.

Their statement read: ‘We are deeply saddened to have to announce the passing of beloved husband and father, Terry Jones.

‘Terry passed away on the evening of 21 January 2020 at the age of 77 with his wife Anna Soderstrom by his side after a long, extremely brave but always good humoured battle with a rare form of dementia, FTD.

Monty Python was founded in 1969 (Picture: Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

‘Over the past few days his wife, children, extended family and many close friends have been constantly with Terry as he gently slipped away at his home in North London. We have all lost a kind, funny, warm, creative and truly loving man whose uncompromising individuality, relentless intellect and extraordinary humour has given pleasure to countless millions across six decades.

‘His work with Monty Python, his books, films, television programmes, poems and other work will live on forever, a fitting legacy to a true polymath.

‘We, his wife Anna, children Bill, Sally, Siri and extended family would like to thank Terry’s wonderful medical professionals and carers for making the past few years not only bearable but often joyful.

‘We hope that this disease will one day be eradicated entirely. We ask that our privacy be respected at this sensitive time and give thanks that we lived in the presence of an extraordinarily talented, playful and happy man living a truly authentic life, in his words “Lovingly frosted with glucose.”’

In 2015, the comic was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia – an uncommon form of dementia which starts at a younger age, affects the front and sides of the brain and causes issues with behaviour and language.



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MORE: Terry Jones’s final interview with the aid of Monty Python co-star Michael Palin describes dementia battle, as star dies aged 77





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