Eric Idle declares Monty Python ‘dead’ as he rules out John Cleese reunion with blunt statement

“That’s what I’m doing. Python is dead.”

When one fan urged “one last hurrah,” Mr Idle replied bluntly in a separate X post: “No thanks.”

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Mr Idle also addressed the suggestion that his falling-out with John Cleese stems from opposing political views.

Responding to a fan who wrote that they wished the pair “could see past their political differences,” Mr Idle posted: “Unfortunately it’s much worse than that, but I’m not going to say as it’s very boring.”

He added a further cryptic remark, telling followers: “When you hear what caused it, you might be more sympathetic.”

The comedian also shut down any suggestion of a partial reunion. Asked by another user whether he would consider performing with just Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam and leave Mr Cleese out, Mr Idle offered a single-word answer: “No.”

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The comments are the latest in a long line of public spats, although appears most significant as it appears to rule out any hope of reconciliation.

This latest outburst follows a very public row over money in 2024, when Mr Idle complained that Python’s revenue had dried up. “Python is a disaster,” he wrote at the time. “Spamalot made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age.”

He pointed the finger at Holly Gilliam, Terry Gilliam’s daughter, who has managed the troupe’s business affairs since 2014. Mr Idle suggested her stewardship was partly responsible for the financial decline.

Mr Cleese hit back on X, stating: “I have worked with Holly for the last 10 years, and I find her very efficient, clear-minded, hard-working, and pleasant to have dealings with.

“Michael Palin has asked me to make it clear that he shares this opinion. Terry Gilliam is also in agreement with this.”

Mr Cleese also quipped that he and Mr Idle had “always loathed and despised each other, but it’s only recently that the truth has begun to emerge.”

Speaking to NME last summer, Mr Idle described his relationships with the surviving members as ranging “from poor to terrible,” adding: “They don’t talk to me. I haven’t seen them for 10 years.”

He also said Mr Cleese “complains all the f***ing time” and had “no idea what he’s doing.” He added: “If you get old and bitter, that’s bad. You have to get older and better.”

The Pythons’ final live outing came in 2014 with Monty Python Live (Mostly) at London’s O2. It was their first stage performance together in 34 years, and the last to feature Terry Jones, who died in 2020.

Following Mr Idle’s latest X comments, it’s safe to say many of his and Pythons’ fans were divided. “Congrats on the new book! It’s a shame some of the old Python crew have gone off the rails *cough* Cleese *cough*,” one X user replied.

A second weighed in: “Pythons’ work is too great; it cannot and will never die. Sorry you hate them so much.”

Meanwhile, a third disappointed follower penned: “Looking forward to the book, Eric, but sad to hear you think Python is now dead. I loved watching you and the other pythons not forgetting Graham Chapman and Terry Jones.”

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Elsewhere, a fourth criticised Mr Idle for commenting on the feud while promoting his own solo project: “So to publicise your whatever, you are throwing everyone else under the bus for social media clout. Classy guy.”

But a fifth sided with the comedian: “Python was of its time, and it was glorious (and still is). But everyone has moved on and had fine careers since then, which is how it should be.” (sic)