Eric Idle reignites Monty Python feud as he brands co-star ‘a hypocrite' for ‘turning down $30m' reunion
holy fail Eric Idle reignites Monty Python feud as he brands co-star 'a hypocrite' for 'turning down $30m' reunion
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COMEDY royalty Eric Idle appears to have refuelled the financial fire between his former Monty Python co-stars.
LA-based Eric, 82, previously said he is still having to work as he receives only a fraction of the millions the legendary comedy team have made in the past.
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Eric Idle has called his Python co-star a hypocrite for his comments about their split
Credit: PA
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Michael Palin, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones in Monty Python's Life of Brian in 1979
Credit: Rex Features
The trailblazing Pythons included Idle, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam and the late Terry Jones - and were responsible for films Life of Brian, hit stage show Spamalot and the original Flying Circus BBC TV series.
The 82-year-old told The Big Issue: "Michael [Palin] said he was sad to see us break up? He was the first to leave! He's such a hypocrite.
"I mean in some ways we split up immediately before The Holy Grail.
"John didn't want to do a fourth series. After that we decided to just stick to films.
"After Life of Brian, we actually did The Meaning of Life, which was our last film together.
"Graham died shortly after that. Also, I think, when you've done religion and then the meaning of life, there are very few subjects left."
He continued: "I can't believe Michael said he was sad. He turned down the opportunity to do it in America, in Australia, in South Africa. He turned down $30 million!"
In 2024, Idle revealed the surviving Pythons were locked in a feud over finances.
In messages on X, Idle previously wrote: '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.
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'I have been working and earning for Pythons since 1995. And now no more.'
He added: 'I guess if you put a Gilliam child [Holly] in as your manager you should not be so surprised.
'One Gilliam is bad enough. Two can take out any company.'
Despite the success of 1975's Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian had funding issues and was almost canned - but was saved by a Beatle.
In a Letter To My Younger Self for The Big Issue, the Monty Python star said: 'I got lucky, because I had to. I survived pancreatic cancer.
"So I feel that since 2019 I've had a reprieve. I don't know or care what people say about me, I'm lucky every single day.'
He said: 'For a while we had no money. [Media proprietor] Lew Grade read it and just went nuts. He said, we can't possibly make this. I went to America to find money.
'I had been talking to George Harrison who was a huge fan, and he said, 'I'll phone you in the morning, don't worry'. And I thought, well, nobody's got four and a half million dollars.
'But finally, when everybody turned us down, there was a call from him saying, 'I've got you the money'.
'He had mortgaged his house and his business and raised the cash and put it all on a Python film. The most extraordinary thing to do.'
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Monty Python's Flying Circus star Eric has had issues over the Python's finances
Credit: Alamy
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Michael Palin said he was 'sad' to see the Pythons break up - which Eric has disagreed with
Credit: Getty
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Actor Eric - who is based in LA - has spoken out about the financial inequality he has faced
Credit: AFP
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They went on: 'He was at drinks after filming when he is alleged to have used an inappropriate racial term. "The witness said he apologised instantly, and he was mortified. 'The witness even stated he didn't use the term as a slur. 'No one complained at the time, but it's been brought up during the inquiry. "Shockingly he was only made aware of the incident two weeks ago and was only informed on Friday that it would be upheld." What did the report find? FORTY-five allegations made against Gregg Wallace during his time on MasterChef, including one of "unwelcome physical contact", were found to have been substantiated. An independent report commissioned by production company Banijay assessed 83 allegations against Wallace. The report substantiated: - Twelve claims he made inappropriate jokes and innuendo; - Sixteen reports he made sexually explicit comments; - Two allegations that he made sexualised comments to or about someone; - Four complaints that he made culturally insensitive or racist comments; - Three claims that he was in a state of undress; - Seven allegations of bullying; - One allegation of unwanted touching. The allegations span from 2005 to 2024. The BBC called John on Thursday night, followed by an email on Friday, asking him to step back. He was told to have his answer by Monday. A source claimed: 'They ambushed him, and it was suggested he quit due to the stress and scrutiny of the furore around the show. 'Obviously he was absolutely shocked and appalled and told them quite firmly he didn't have any mental health issues. "To try to use mental health as a get-out clause seems incredibly low — and is also deeply unfair to those with genuine mental health trauma. 'John absolutely loves MasterChef, and doesn't want to lose his job because of an investigation into his co-star." Melbourne-born John moved to the UK in 1991 and started working in London restaurants including Quaglino's. It was there he met greengrocer Wallace, who provided their veg. He started cooking on This Morning in 1996 before he and Wallace began hosting the revamped MasterChef in 2005.
