Monty Python stars 'don't speak often' as Michael Palin reflects on wife's death
Sir Michael Palin has revealed that he and his fellow Monty Python actors 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.
The 80-year-old's confession comes as he reflects on the death of his wife, Helen Gibbins, who passed away from kidney failure on May 9 after a long-time battle with chronic pain.
Michael announced the devastating news four days later with a poignant statement, in which he described his beloved spouse of 57 years as the "bedrock" of his life. The couple, who met as teenagers while holidaying on the Suffolk coast, went on to welcome three children during their marriage; Rachel, Thomas and William, as well as four grandchildren.
In a rare comment on the loss of his Helen, Michael confirmed that "all" of the Monty Python members had reached out to him immediately following her death. The remaining stars of the award-winning troupe - which was formed in 1969 - are Terry Gilliam, 83, Eric Idle, 80, and John Cleese, 83. Its other comics, Graham Chapman and Terry Jones, died in 1989 and 2020, respectively.
"Their reactions to Helen’s death, from all of them, were very touching, very immediate and very sincere. I really appreciated that," Michael told Radio Times. However, he also squashed any hopes that the troupe are in regular contact after all these years. "We don’t speak to each other very often. There’s no ex-Pythons WhatsApp group or anything."
Monty Python's Michael Palin devastated as wife dies after chronic pain battle
Michael Palin's wife Helen Gibbins passed away in May at the age of 80
The actor opened up to The Radio TimesThe Pythons' rapport hit the headlines back in 2019 after Terry Gilliam publicly expressed that, while he is massively fond of John Cleese, he does not back his co-performer's support of Brexit.
"I’m the instinctive, monosyllabic American and he’s the tall, very suave one. I love John enormously but I just disagree with the way he perceives the world," he told Radio Times, before adding that he was "terminally depressed" by Britain's departure from the EU and the presidency of Donald Trump.
The talented comedians put their varying political views aside to rally around Terry Jones, however, after he was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia in 2015.
"He’s still around," Michael said of the Welsh actor during an interview with Radio Times. "There’s still a bit of Terry there, the sparkle in the eye. He can’t communicate, that’s the problem, which is so ironic for someone who loved words and debate and jokes and opinions and ideas."
The Monty Python actors are no longer in touchAfter Terry Jones' passing in January 2020, each member of the Monty Python squad took to the Internet to honour the legacy of their late colleague and treasured friend.
Michael described Terry as "one of the funniest writer-performers of his generation," while John hailed him as a "man of so many talents and such endless enthusiasms." Eric Idle shared these sentiments, recalling "the many wonderfully funny moments he [Jones] gave us" in his touching tribute.
Terry Gilliam also penned a heartfelt statement in memory of The Holy Grail director, calling him "brilliant, constantly questioning, iconoclastic, righteously argumentative and angry but outrageously funny and generous and kind human being."
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