John Cleese has hit back at Eric Idle amid their 'Monty Python' feud.
John Cleese has hit back at Eric Idle amid their Monty Python feud
The 84-year-old comedian, who starred alongside Eric, 80, in the beloved BBC show, bit back at his former co-star after he revealed he "made no money" from the programme.
Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) John wrote: "We have always loathed and despised each other, but it’s only recently that the truth has begun to emerge.”
Eric blamed Holly Gilliam, manager of the franchise and daughter of 'Python' star Terry Gilliam, for his financial troubles.
In a post to the social media platform, he wrote: “I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded. 'Python' is a disaster. 'Spamalot' made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age.
“We own everything we ever made in Python and I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously.
“But 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.”
John dismissed Eric's claims, and called her very "pleasant" to work with.
He said: "I have worked with Holly for the last ten years.
“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.”
Despite losing out, Eric emphasised that he was "fine" and didn’t mind still having to work.
He wrote: "I’m fine. I’m engaged and writing. It’s the thing I do and like the most. Creating a new show. Something that feels so completely normal. Been doing it since 1963. I have learned a lot. But then I had some great mentors.”
Tagged in Eric Idle John Cleese Terry Gilliam