John Cleese, 86, reveals plans for a Monty Python reunion 12 years after 'farewell' show - but Eric Idle is nowhere to be seen amid bitter feud

Twelve years after Monty Python's comeback at London's O2, John Cleese has announced surprise plans for another revival – barring estranged member Eric Idle.

The 2014 shows, which included the late Terry Jones, were widely deemed to be the troupe's last hurrah.

But John, 86, has now revealed that he's set to reunite with his two co-stars in late 2026, telling Daily Mail's Richard Eden: 'Sir Mickey Palin, Terry Gilliam and I are discussing doing some entertainment towards the end of this year, if only to prove that we are all alive – if we still are.'

Eric isn't on speaking terms with the others amid a bitter falling out over the management of the group's finances.

John spoke out against 'bullying' Eric, 83, last September, after the latter had publicly criticised Python's manager Holly Gilliam, daughter of Terry.

John added: 'The excellent Holly Gilliam is exploring venues, and finding dates when Sir Mickey may be available. He's much in demand, unlike the rest of us.

'The event will be a wonderful opportunity to insult each other, and to discuss at length each other's faults.'

The original Monty Python troupe - consisting of John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Eric Idle and Graham Chapman - rose to prominence in the 1960s with BBC sketch comedy show Monty Python's Flying Circus.

They then went on to subsequently release several movies including 1975's Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Monty Python's the Meaning of Life in 1983.

And while there have been tensions among the men spanning back decades, a more recent falling out unfolded among the surviving stars in 2024 following Eric's public criticism of the Pythons' manager Holly.

After branding the Fawlty Towers star 'bonkers', Eric remarked: 'I don't think the company has been as well looked after as it might have been . . .

'I always want an older manager, someone who's wise – and not related to Terry Gilliam. So I walked away.'

In response, John later fumed: 'Very upset to see that Eric Idle is once again attacking Holly Gilliam . . . I want to make it clear that Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam and I are totally satisfied with Holly's work.

'He has bullied her for several years, and we all think it's shameful.'

Eric has claimed that John fired the troupe's former manager, his old friend Jim Beach, and hired Holly, 45, instead. 

He has since claimed that Holly is the reason he has to continue to work and make money over the age of 80. 

Taking aim at Holly, the TV lawyer daughter of fellow Python Terry Gilliam, on social media.

He said of Holly, took over the Python brand in 2013 as part of HDG Projects Ltd, on Twitter: 'I don't know why people always assume we're loaded.

'I have to work for my living. I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously. I have been working and earning for Pythons since 1995. And now no more.'

In a dig at Holly, he continued: '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.'

Last year, the comedian, who famously wrote stage show Spamalot, blasted his former co-stars for being so 'ungrateful' over the millions they made in royalty payments. 

He told The Guardian newspaper: 'They got more f***ing money than they've ever been grateful for. They got f****** millions and they’re miserable and horrible and b****y about it.'

Adding to his frustration, Eric continued: 'I spent 20 years working for Python and then two years on the O2 show. They were there for two weeks.

'I'm not really motivated by money, to be honest. Anyway, the producers get all the f***ing money and divide it up according to the contract.' 

'Someone sued us for years, saying I was paying the Pythons money from my back pocket. And I said: why would I risk going to an American jail to give John Cleese more money?'

Eric also added that the group would often 'fight and argue' but he thinks it was good for their work. 

'Some things in Python were very enjoyable and some were not,' he shared.

'Holy Grail was cold and miserable. Sometimes that makes it funny. One of the worst things you can have in comedy is enough money.'

'Python was quite a lot of arguing and fights and good work is often like that. The best thing about showbiz is when it's over. I think if you're enjoying yourself, then you're not acting or giving, you’re just having a good time. Well, that’s not funny.'