Monty Python legends reunite for Michael Palin's birthday - but one key person's missing

Three members of Monty Python have reunited to celebrate Michael ­Palin’s 81st birthday – but there was no sign of Eric Idle after his public spat with John Cleese.

The Fawlty Towers funnyman shared a picture of himself, Terry Gilliam and Palin sitting around a dinner table after enjoying a meal out. On X, Cleese captioned the photo: “An 18 foot Python celebrates Palin’s 181st Birthday and 195th Travel Book. Photo taken at cafe on peak of ­Mount ­Kilimanjaro.”

On Monday, the day after Palin’s birthday, Cleese, 84, wrote: “I was travelling yesterday, and forgot to wish Mickey Palin a joyous 81st Birthday. We shall celebrate it together tonight, along with Terry Gilliam, if he promises to behave.” The picture confirms that most of the Pythons are still getting on well.

In February, Idle said he hadn’t seen Cleese for seven years and branded him a bully who had singled out Terry Jones. He said: “I always felt ashamed we did nothing.” Idle also attacked Gilliam’s daughter Holly for the financial management of their affairs. But Cleese hit back, saying: “We always loathed and despised each other, but it’s only recently that the truth has begun to emerge.” He later said it was meant as a joke.

Asked about the row recently, Palin admitted the surrealist comedians had always clashed – and sometimes things got violent. He said: “Python was brilliant when we were producing comedy. Beyond that, all the business things, and how much money people want or don’t want… that is up to individuals.

“Recently there have been reports of Eric getting very cross with John, and also with Terry. And I thought that was not right. We have all had huge arguments. The great thing is we don’t all agree. I remember Terry Jones once threw a typewriter at John. What’s happening with Python now doesn’t surprise me greatly.

“It’s just a pity it’s not to do with comedy any more. It’s to do with people’s lifestyles.” Sketch show Monty Python’s Flying Circus, featuring Palin, Cleese, Idle, Gilliam and the late Jones and Graham Chapman, ran on the BBC from 1969-1974. The comedy group also made several films, such as Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Cleese has spent the last few weeks preparing for the start of Fawlty Towers: The Play in London’s West End.

Last year, Palin shared how th e Monty Python crew do not speak to one another "very often", adding that he doesn't even have a " Whatsapp group" with the remaining members of the legendary comedic troupe. He reflected on the death of his beloved wife Helen Gibbins and shared that "all" of the Monty Python members had reached out to him immediately following her death in May last year.

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