Monty Python Star's Shock Diagnosis

Comedy genius Terry Jones, of Monty Python fame, has been diagnosed with dementia.

The news came as Bafta Cymru announced he had been given the special award for outstanding contribution to film and television. 

A representative for the writer and director said: "Terry has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, a variant of frontotemporal dementia.

"This illness affects his ability to communicate and he is no longer able to give interviews. Terry is proud and honoured to be recognised in this way and is looking forward to the celebrations."

Organisers are hoping he will still be able to attend the ceremony next Sunday night at St David's Hall in Cardiff.

He will be accompanied by a family representative but is not expected to speak at the event.

Known to many as one of the Pythons, he was born in Colwyn Bay and has gone on to write and direct drama, present documentaries, compose operas and write short stories.

Jones and the other Pythons got together in 1969 and wrote and performed Monty Python’s Flying Circus until 1974.

He co-directed Monty Python and the Holy Grail with Terry Gilliam, and was sole director on two further Monty Python movies, Life of Brian and Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, for which he received a BAFTA nomination for Original Song Written for a Film in 1984.

He directed Personal Services and in 1989 wrote and directed Erik The Viking.

Later Jones wrote, directed and played Toad in The Wind In The Willows and also wrote the screenplay for Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. 

He also co-wrote and directed Absolutely Anything last year.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk