Sunday, October 21, 2007

Python Terry beats cancer


Oct 21 2007 by Marc Baker, Wales On Sunday


MONTY Python star Terry Jones is back at work after being cured of cancer – a year after being diagnosed with the deadly disease.

The 65-year-old TV legend was diagnosed with bowel cancer this time last year.
But last night the Colwyn Bay born star was back at work after being given the all clear by surgeons following an operation which has saved his life.

And to show the world he is back to business, Terry has been enjoying long walks to the pub with his 23-year-old Swedish girlfriend, former Oxford student Anna Soderstrom.

The actor, writer and director, who has hosted a historical documentary series, Medieval Lives, described his speedy recovery as “miraculous”.

He said: “It’s amazing really. I’m already going for walks on Hampstead Heath and for pints in the pub.”

Like a true Python, Terry has continued to smile through his treatment. Last year, he even managed to find the time to join former Monty Python colleagues Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin for the London opening of Idle’s Python musical Spamalot.

Jones directed the three Python films as well as movies including The Wind in the Willows, and has had success as a TV presenter, author and historian.

Terry’s agent Jodi Shields said: “I am delighted to say that Terry has been given the all clear. He has not stopped working since. He is in America at the moment doing a lecture tour of universities with his book Who Murdered Chaucer?

“He filmed a new TV series for BBC Wales over the summer called Ogilby’s Roads about the mapmaker John Ogilby and he has written an original musical called Evil Machines, which he will direct in Portugal this Christmas with the Lisbon Philharmonic Orchestra. He’s a busy (and very happy) man! Thanks for asking.”

Terry underwent treatment for colon cancer at a private hospital in London.
Miss Shields added: “He is in high spirits and very pleased the doctors caught it early.”

Terry’s fellow Python pioneer Graham Chapman died aged 48 in 1989 after a long battle with throat cancer.

When he was first diagnosed, Terry laughed off the disease, saying: “Unfortunately, my illness is not nearly bad enough to sell many newspapers, and the prognosis is even more disappointing.”


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